U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning) is welcoming comments that were recently made by a member of the Obama administration that involve the use of natural gas and hydrofracking. U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz’s recently commented on the benefits of domestic natural gas development in New York State and pushed for lifting the moratorium on hydrofraking.
In an interview this week, Moniz said natural gas – through hydrofracking – has enhanced the industry by more than $100 billion. He went on to say Governor Andrew Cuomo should look at the economic prosperity natural gas development is bringing to neighboring Pennsylvania as he weighs whether or not to lift the five-year moratorium.
New York has had a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing for more than five years, with Governor Cuomo unclear on when he will make a decision to allow or ban the practice. Proponents say it will give a huge boost to a long-time economically depressed area of the state. However, opponents say the current practice poses to many hazards to the environment and human health, and any economic benefit would only be short-term.
In his remarks to www.capital.com, Secretary Moniz said, “This new resource is of critical importance. If you look at Pennsylvania, it’s amazing, in the Marcellus shale. They have gone from a very, very minor contributor to the national natural gas production, to nearly 20 percent in a remarkably short period. And as we know, that has had enormous economic benefits for the state. Obviously, New York will presumably take that as one of the factors to be considered in its decision.”
Reed has been pushing for the lifting of the moratorium on hydrofracking since he was first elected to congress in 2010. he’s says that much of his congressional district would would see an impact from hydrofracking, if it were to be allowed. Following Moniz’s comments, the Corning Republican said that hearing the top energy official weigh in so positively in favor of natural gas development in New York is certainly a positive sign for our local economy in New York.
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