Published: October 06, 2008 06:03 pm      

News Roundup: Gas-drilling hearings set

The state Department of Environmental Conservation has issued a draft scoping document outlining the issues to be covered in its analysis of the environmental impacts of national gas drilling in the region’s shale formation.

The agency also has tentatively scheduled several public hearings in the Southern Tier and Catskills in November and early December, and to submit written comments. A local hearing will be in Oneonta on Dec. 2.

The scoping analysis is a first step in reviewing potential environmental issues of high-volume hydraulic fracturing of horizontal wells in the Marcellus shale formation,

In the document, DEC delineates a number of factors it has proposed to be included in the analysis, including that the supplement address water-management issues and the composition of drilling fluids added to the water to assist the fracturing process.

Although there is a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) covering gas and oil drilling in the state generally, the DEC determined that a supplement was needed to address issues related to the large volumes of water required to "hydrofracture" the shale to release the gas.

DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis said "horizontal drilling is not new. Hydraulic fracturing is not new. And drilling into the Marcellus Shale is not new. But the drilling operations proposed involve all three of these elements, along with greatly increased water use.’’

He continued, ``this review is designed to ensure that if the drilling goes forward, it takes place in the most environmentally responsible way possible."

The current GEIS was issued in 1992 and covered hydraulic fracturing, a practice that has been used for more than 50 years in New York for releasing oil and gas trapped in otherwise impermeable geological strata, DEC officials said.

Back then, however, most drilling operations required less than 100,000 gallons of water per well for hydraulic fracturing. Because of the depth and geologic characteristics of the Marcellus Shale, greater volumes of water are necessary to tap into the gas reserves, likely more than 1 million gallons per well.

"The other major difference," Grannis said, "is that we are anticipating a large demand for drilling permits in parts of the state that historically have not seen much oil and gas drilling."

While there are about 13,000 oil and gas wells operating statewide, these tend to be clustered in western New York and the Southern Tier. In the past few years, thousands of area property owners have signed leases with gas firms.

After the public meetings, DEC will review the comments and produce the final scope, officials said, which will outline the factors that must be included in the supplement to the GEIS.

Officials added that DEC hopes to complete a draft Supplement by next spring.

Tentatively, public hearings are planned for:

** Oneonta (Otsego County), Dec. 2.

** Allegany (Cattaraugus County), Nov. 6.

** Bath (Steuben County), Nov. 12.

** Elmira (Chemung County), Nov. 13.

** Binghamton (Broome County), Nov. 17.

** Loch Sheldrake (Sullivan County Community College), Dec. 4.

DEC said it was awaiting confirmation about times and venues with host communities; details will be announced as soon as they are confirmed.

The draft scope is available at www.dec.ny.gov/energy/47554.html. Detailed instructions for submitting written comments are included in the scope.



Youth science experiment day set

COOPERSTOWN _ 4-H staff from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Otsego County will be participating in National Science Experiment Day by leading a science experiment at the Oneonta YMCA at 3:15 p.m. Wednesday.

Youths in Otsego County are invited to join in the experiment, 4-H staff said.

The Experiment Day is a result of congressional passage last month of a bill establishing Oct. 8 as 4-H National Youth Science Day.

The resolution confirms the importance of encouraging youth of all ages and backgrounds to explore science, engineering, and technology programs and as well as other similar opportunities that could ultimately lead to a life-long passion for these fields, according to the National 4-H Council.

Locally, the Experiment Day will focus on the environment and will use science principles to teach youth across the country about the importance of water conservation.

for more information, contact the 4-h office at 547-2536.



Tickets on sale for `Split'

ONEONTA _ Tickets are now on sale for a two-night screening next week of “Split,” produced and co-written by Oneonta-native Peter Hutchison.

“Split” chronicles the journey of director and co-writer Kelly Nykes as he travels across country interviewing politicians, pundits, religious leaders and everyday citizens about their own political views and their opinions about those that disagree with them.

Hutchison and Sykes will be present at post-screening conversations both nights.

Tickets are available at the Upper Catskill Community Council of the Arts, Wilber Mansion, 11 Ford Ave. in Oneonta. Tickets also available at the door. General admission is $7, with arts council members, senior and students $6.

Screenings take place at Foothills Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, and Wednesday, Oct. 15.

Split is a featured film in UCCCA’s Autumn FilmFest, funded in part by the New York State Council of the Art’s Electronic Media & Film Program, and through membership support of the arts council.

For information, call 432-2070, e-mail director@uccca.com or see www.uccca.com.