Emails obtained from the state Department of Environmental Conservation by an environmental group show state officials gave details of a proposed permit and regulations for natural gas hydraulic fracturing to industry representatives before making them public.
An article from the Albany Times-Union says that the Environmental Working Group, which obtained the emails under the state Freedom of Information Act, said the exchange suggests an overly cozy relationship between DEC and the natural gas industry, which is pushing to open up the state’s gas-rich Marcellus Shale region to the drilling technique.
DEC defended the private release, which excluded groups that have raised safety concerns about drilling. The agency called the communication consistent with state law meant to ensure regulations are not overly burdensome.
The emails were between Thomas West, an Albany-based lawyer representing gas drillers, and DEC Deputy Commissioner and General Counsel Steven Russo. The correspondence shows the department forwarded specific details of its proposed hydrofracking regulations and a stormwater release permit in mid-August, weeks before that information was released to hydrofracking opponents and the general public on Sept. 28.
All this comes as DEC continues to weigh its proposals on hydrofracking Its most recent draft for that blueprint drew more than 78,000 public comments, the most DEC has ever received on an environmental issue. Public comment closed in January.
No decisions have been made, although published reports suggest Gov. Andrew Cuomo is weighing a plan to permit gas drilling only in some counties where local officials strongly support it.
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