MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT

Hydraulic Fracturing Moratorium

A.10490 – Englebright

An act to establish a moratorium upon conducting hydraulic fracturing pending the

issuance of a report thereon by the federal Environmental Protection Agency; and
providing for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof.

JUSTIFICATION
High volume hydraulic fracturing is proposed for use in New York State to extract
natural gas from unconventional shale formations. This process uses millions of gallons
of water per well and creates waste products that New York State cannot currently
accommodate. This process has been reported to contaminate water in states such as
Wyoming, Colorado, and Texas. In response to public outcry and Congressional request,
the United States Environmental Protection Agency has launched a study to determine
the effects of hydraulic fracturing on water resources. New York must wait for the
results of that study before it allows the rapid industrialization of hydraulic
fracturing, ensuring that sound science is guiding the policy of New York’s natural
resource extraction.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS
• Establishes a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing activities in New York State until
the completion of the U.S. EPA’s study
• Moratorium expires 120 days after the U.S. EPA issues the report on its study

CITIZENS CAMPAIGN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT STRONGLY SUPPORTS

PASSAGE OF A. 10490 – HYDRAULIC FRACTURING MORATORIUM IN THE
2010 NEW YORK STATE LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE) is a non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization
working to empower communities and advocate solutions that protect public health and the natural
environment. CCE is supported by 80,000 members in New York and Connecticut.

Memo dated 04/06/10