IOGA Calls Cuomo Admin. to Remain Committed to Expedited Nat. Gas Permits

IOGA Calls Cuomo Admin. to Remain Committed to Expedited Nat. Gas Permits

Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Independent O&G Association of New York

The Independent Oil & Gas Association of New York (IOGA of NY) wrote Governor Andrew Cuomo and all members of the New York State Legislature requesting an expedited review of permits that will enhance natural gas production in New York.

IOGA of NY, which represents nearly 400 members employing more than 4,500 people in the state, asked the governor to direct the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to complete its revised Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (SGEIS) by July 1.

"Nearly three years has gone by since the state essentially halted the permitting of natural gas drilling in the Southern Tier," wrote Brad Gill, IOGA of NY executive director, in his letter to the governor. "During that time we have watched people, jobs, businesses and opportunity flee our state for Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia, where those economies are rebounding strongly as a result of increased natural gas development."

The industry association also asked lawmakers to allow the DEC to complete the SGEIS, and reject all forms of obstructive legislation that would further delay responsible and well-regulated natural gas development.

"New York cannot afford to allow protests rooted in misinformation to halt the tremendous economic development opportunity that awaits our state," Gill wrote in his letter to each member of the Legislature. "I write to ask you to continue to apply reason, common sense and fact-based analysis as you consider the future of natural gas development in New York."

The letters were accompanied by two newly released informational sheets that point out the economic success that other states are experiencing from Marcellus Shale drilling activity.

"Our industry is asking the state to provide an economic opportunity that is balanced by environmental protection," Gill wrote. We are "asking that policymakers work right now to embrace the economic opportunity that is balanced by environmental protection, and allow science, reason and our existing rigorous SGEIS process to trump emotion as New York works to derive the benefits of natural gas."