Technological developments in drilling for natural gas have made it feasible in recent years for companies to extract gas from rock formations such as the Marcellus Shale, which extends under four states and underlies much of the New York City watershed. Although landowners and state and local governments stand to benefit financially from such drilling, many questions have been raised about the environmental impacts, including potential harm to New York City’s water supply.
The WCC has worked for many years to maintain the adequacy and quality of New York City’s water supply and has taken a position urging our elected officials and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to prohibit drilling for gas in the watershed.
The US Environmental Protection Agency has undertaken an official study examining the potential health and environmental impacts of hydraulic drilling. As part of its study scoping effort, the EPA is holding public hearings around the country, but none were scheduled for New York City. So that New York City’s voice could also be heard, the City Council held a Town Hall meeting on August 24th on the subject.
Arden Down, Chair of the WCC’s Environment and Infrastructure Committee, testified on behalf of the WCC. These talking points summarize her longer written testimony. Two of the points Arden made were applauded by the large audience: that hydraulic gas drilling, which requires the use of vast quantities of water, should be subject to the federal Safe Water Drinking Act (as was the case before an exemption was provided in 2005) and that the EPA, whose stated mission is “to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment,” should gauge the healthcare costs, as well as the environmental damage, that will result from hydraulic drilling.
