State DEC issues new, updated report on the future of the Marcellus Shale natural gas industry

Elmira, NY, September 7—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R-C, Big Flats) issued the following statement today on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) release of its revised report on the future of the Marcellus Shale natural gas industry:

“First and foremost, I appreciate the careful and hard work that DEC Commissioner Martens and his staff have devoted to moving this regulatory process forward.  I appreciate their thorough consideration of the thousands of pages of public comments that have been submitted to the DEC since 2009, and I remain confident that all of the public comments that will be submitted over the next several months at public hearings and otherwise will be given equally diligent consideration and review.

“Now that the DEC has issued its revised report on the future of the Marcellus Shale natural gas industry, this next phase of public comment becomes priority number one.  This public comment period is vital to a successful regulatory process. I can’t do enough to encourage comment from concerned citizens and all interested parties on where and how this new report is strong, and where it can be improved.”

According to the DEC, the public comment period begins today and will continue through December 12, 2011.

To review the revised report and obtain additional information, including how to submit comments and testimony, O’Mara encouraged area residents and organizations to visit the following DEC website: http://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/75370.html

A public hearing schedule will be released in early October, the DEC said.