By Dan,
posted on Thursday, December 01, 2011.
The state of New York can no longer ignore the opportunities its
shale resources present. That's the position of former New York
Governor George Pataki in his op-ed on hydraulic
fracturing in the New York Daily News.
Pataki, who served the state for three consecutive terms, urges
New York to lift the moratorium on drilling for the abundant
natural gas reserves trapped in the Marcellus Shale. Citing an
April 2011 state jobs report, which estimates that 259,400 upstate
residents are unemployed, he writes, "Fracking can bring good jobs
to New York without harming the environment."
The governor is right; natural gas development in New York could
substantially impact their current unemployment crisis and help
rebuild the state's economy. The Manhattan Institute has said that
New York could generate $11.4 billion from 2011 to 2020 by lifting
its moratorium on hydraulic fracturing which could mean 15,000 to
18,000 jobs.
Pataki calls the benefits of New York's natural gas reserves
"enormous," even "transformational." And he emphasizes the need for
safe and responsible development.
"Minimizing impacts to local communities and the proper handling
of wastewater from the process are two of the issues that must be
addressed," Pataki writes. "Through the deployment of advanced
technology and appropriate regulatory oversight by the state, I'm
confident these and other environmental challenges can be met."
"We must avoid being swayed by opinionated voices that seek to
politicize this issue," Pataki writes. "By applying rigorous
analysis and sound science, we can protect our state's environment
- and develop a better future for all New Yorkers."