New York Gov. David Paterson has decided to ban hydraulic fracturing in the state until at least Jul. 1 in a split decision that will allow conventional, low-volume vertical oil and gas drilling to continue

摘要

The governor vetoed a state Assembly bill that would have placed a moratorium on all drilling activity until May 15. A coalition of 12 environmental groups said while Paterson's decision did protect public health, it would allow E&P companies to immediately convert vertical wells into horizontal wells, should the process be approved. The E&P industry has opposed the moratorium passed by the legislature, saying it would have halted most oil and gas drilling currently allowed in addition to high-volume hydraulic fracturing.