Senate Passes Drilling Moratorium

Opponents of natural gas drilling in the Southern Tier’s Marcellus Shale formation today are cheering the state Senate’s approval of a short-term moratorium late Tuesday night.

The measure sailed through the Senate, 48-9. If approved by the Assembly and Gov. David Paterson, permits to drill for natural gas in the formation would be delayed until May 15, 2011. Now focus turns to the Assembly, where supporters of the drilling moratorium believe it could be taken up soon.

Read more & watch Senator Liz Krueger speak on the floor.