Five-Year Anniversary of New York’s Hydraulic Fracturing Moratorium
New York’s moratorium on hydraulic fracturing has entered its sixth year. On July 23, 2008, former Governor David Paterson directed the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to conduct an environmental review of high-volume hydraulic fracturing. After taking office, Governor Andrew Cuomo continued the order, and the DEC has not yet finalized its environmental review. Gov. Cuomo said that he will not make a decision on lifting the moratorium until the New York Commissioner of Health performs a public health review of the DEC’s work. No timetable for the completion of the public health review has been announced.