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The landowner coalitions, large landowners and NYDEC are prepared to bring safe natural gas drilling to New York. We are also the ones who will be the primary victims of any adverse effects from this process, as the anti-fracking groups are slow to point out. Still, we are willing to take the risk because we have done our homework and are confident that the safeguards are in place that will protect us and our neighbors as the DEC has spent four years preparing what is considered the safest and most complete permitting standards in the US and the world.
In response to concerns expressed by the anti-drilling groups:
- Natural gas development is part of the clean environment initiative. It is environmentally cleaner than coal and petroleum products.
- The gas companies will look locally for the skilled workers (welders, pipe-fitters, truckers, cement contractors) they will need, thus providing badly needed jobs in our depressed economy. These positions are long-term as the wells will need to be maintained and monitored. As for the actual drilling rig workers (“rough-neckers”), their jobs are migratory due to the nature of their special skills, the intensity and the short-term duration of this part of the process. But they will spend their money in our area during their time here.
- The enormous tax base increase of the landowners who allow gas drilling on their property will be of great economic benefit to Livingston County. Local government and school budgets need this substantial tax revenue increase, as illustrated by the last Dansville school budget vote. In addition, road improvement paid for by the gas companies after the drilling process has been completed will benefit the rural areas where fracking is most likely to take place.
- The DEC will proceed with the permitting process as their staffing allows. As any gas drilling company will tell you, the permitting, pacing and drilling schedule is controlled entirely by the DEC and they will not rush to permit until they are satisfied that all safety requirements have been met. In addition, they can incorporate local county conservation groups to help in this process if they are short-staffed.
- Water safety is of primary importance not only to the DEC but to the landowners as well. We live here, we’re not going anywhere and we need to have a safe water supply. The siting decisions for the wells will be made by the DEC, the drilling company and the leases that are in place to protect the landowners interests. The lubricants for the drill bits that contain some hazardous chemicals have been investigated by the DEC and will be strictly regulated, both in the fracking process as well as the disposal process.
- The millions of gallons of water used in the fracking process and the ponds to hold them is being replaced by the reuse of this water and the storage of it in trucks, not ponds.
- The leaking of natural gas in the vertical spaces underground can easily be filtered into a tank before entering a house. The free natural gas supply can then be used by the owner.
- Every effort to contain the loss of natural gas from the separators, condensate tanks and drilling pits will be made by both the gas company, who is losing valuable revenue, as well as the landowner, who has to breathe the air next to this equipment.
- The engineering advancement of hydro-fracking since the 1940s is astonishing. There is much talked about increased stresses on the pipes and cement casings being used currently in the fracking process that may cause gas leaks. The creation of vastly improved products by the manufacturers that provide these products to the gas drilling industry to accommodate these stresses is making it much safer.
The landowner coalitions, large landowners and NYDEC are prepared to bring safe natural gas drilling to New York. We are also the ones who will be the primary victims of any adverse effects from this process, as the anti-fracking groups are slow to point out. Still, we are willing to take the risk because we have done our homework and are confident that the safeguards are in place that will protect us and our neighbors as the DEC has spent four years preparing what is considered the safest and most complete permitting standards in the US and the world.
In response to concerns expressed by the anti-drilling groups:
- Natural gas development is part of the clean environment initiative. It is environmentally cleaner than coal and petroleum products.
- The gas companies will look locally for the skilled workers (welders, pipe-fitters, truckers, cement contractors) they will need, thus providing badly needed jobs in our depressed economy. These positions are long-term as the wells will need to be maintained and monitored. As for the actual drilling rig workers (“rough-neckers”), their jobs are migratory due to the nature of their special skills, the intensity and the short-term duration of this part of the process. But they will spend their money in our area during their time here.
- The enormous tax base increase of the landowners who allow gas drilling on their property will be of great economic benefit to Livingston County. Local government and school budgets need this substantial tax revenue increase, as illustrated by the last Dansville school budget vote. In addition, road improvement paid for by the gas companies after the drilling process has been completed will benefit the rural areas where fracking is most likely to take place.
- The DEC will proceed with the permitting process as their staffing allows. As any gas drilling company will tell you, the permitting, pacing and drilling schedule is controlled entirely by the DEC and they will not rush to permit until they are satisfied that all safety requirements have been met. In addition, they can incorporate local county conservation groups to help in this process if they are short-staffed.
- Water safety is of primary importance not only to the DEC but to the landowners as well. We live here, we’re not going anywhere and we need to have a safe water supply. The siting decisions for the wells will be made by the DEC, the drilling company and the leases that are in place to protect the landowners interests. The lubricants for the drill bits that contain some hazardous chemicals have been investigated by the DEC and will be strictly regulated, both in the fracking process as well as the disposal process.
- The millions of gallons of water used in the fracking process and the ponds to hold them is being replaced by the reuse of this water and the storage of it in trucks, not ponds.
- The leaking of natural gas in the vertical spaces underground can easily be filtered into a tank before entering a house. The free natural gas supply can then be used by the owner.
- Every effort to contain the loss of natural gas from the separators, condensate tanks and drilling pits will be made by both the gas company, who is losing valuable revenue, as well as the landowner, who has to breathe the air next to this equipment.
- The engineering advancement of hydro-fracking since the 1940s is astonishing. There is much talked about increased stresses on the pipes and cement casings being used currently in the fracking process that may cause gas leaks. The creation of vastly improved products by the manufacturers that provide these products to the gas drilling industry to accommodate these stresses is making it much safer.
In New York, the drilling regulations contained in the DEC report (SGEIS) are the best in the world at protecting the environment. The natural gas drilling pursued by the landowners and the regulations of the DEC will provide environmental protection and health safety to our communities. We do have the system in place to protect our communities. Do not be afraid. Our farmland will remain safe and unpolluted. It will not make our children and neighbors sick. The American way of doing these things right is spectacular. Support your neighbors who will bring the benefits of natural gas development to this community so that we all can benefit from their vision.
Judith Smythe
Dansville
