Why has New York State Banned Fracking?

State officials announced on Wednesday that New York will ban fracking, after the New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo, bowed to expert scientific advice. It was this advice that led to a moratorium on fracking since 2008, when state officials decided they needed more research, in order to make a decision. New York is not the first to take such as action – Scotland made the same move earlier in 2015.

What is fracking?

Fracking is a process of hydraulic fracturing, in which high-pressure blasts of water, sand or chemicals, break down the natural gases in shale formations. But many experts believe that the effects of fracking on the environment can be potentially damaging.

Cuomo held a press conference to announce the ban, but quickly turned it over to the state health and environmental officials.

Why did New York ban fracking?

The officials said there was a lack of studies regarding the long-term safety of fracking. They also pointed to the environmental and health impacts, which they advised were too great for them to allow fracking to proceed at this time.

DEC Commissioner Joseph Martens said that the potential adverse impacts of fracking are “widespread,” but the economic benefits are “far lower than originally forecasted.”

Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker was concerned about the absence of longitudinal studies regarding the health implications of fracking. He added that the “bona fide scientific literature is only now emerging”.

Zucker concluded that he would not want to live where fracking was allowed, and would not want his children to pay in the soil where fracking was being carried out. Cuomo agreed. “I think it’s our responsibility to develop an alternative … for safe, clean economic development,” the governor said.

Who is in favour of the New York fracking ban?

Anti-fracking groups are pleased with Cuomo’s decision. The protest group New Yorkers Against Fracking issued a statement on Wednesday in praise of Cuomo: “On behalf of millions of New Yorkers, we would like to thank the Governor for his leadership and keeping his word in listening to the science and protecting the health and safety of New Yorkers over the special interests of the oil and gas industry.”

Who is not in favour of the New York fracking ban?

Others however, particularly those associated with the petroleum industry, are not so happy. The New York State Petroleum Council also issued a statement on Wednesday, and said that the decision was “the wrong direction for New York.” The group's executive director, Karen Moreau, called it a “politically motivated and equally misinformed ban on a proven technology.”

Fracking can certainly be an emotional subject, but in his decision to ban it, Cuomo tried to keep his emotions in check. He did acknowledge that fracking could solve the troubled economic problems in upstate areas, but remained resolute: “I’ve never had anyone say to me, ‘I believe fracking is great,’ ” he said. “Not a single person in those communities. What I get is, ‘I have no alternative but fracking.’”

For a detailed looks at the pros and cons of fracking, read this interview with Chris Faulkner: Is Fracking the Way Forward?