Relates to permits to drill oil and gas wells

25 Co-sponsors

• James F. Brennan
• Barbara Lifton
• Ellen C. Jaffee
• Kenneth Zebrowski
• Brian Kavanagh
• Adriano Espaillat
• Matthew Titone
• Steven Cymbrowitz
• Susan John
• William Magnarelli
• Robert Reilly
• Mike Spano
• Amy Paulin
• Nelson Castro
• Naomi Rivera
• Peter Rivera
• Linda Rosenthal
• Janele Hyer-Spencer
• Alan Maisel
• N. Nick Perry
• Felix Ortiz
• Vivian Cook
• Harvey Weisenberg
• Michelle Schimel
• Ginny Fields

7 Multi-sponsors

• RoAnn Destito
• Richard Gottfried
• William Magee
• Margaret Markey
• John McEneny
• Joan Millman
• Fred Thiele

BILL NUMBER:A10292

Title of bill

An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to permits to drill oil and gas wells

Purpose Or General Idea Of Bill: The purpose of this bill is to provide greater oversight of natural gas and oil drilling.

Summary Of Specific Provisions:

This bill would:

* amend the definition of "plug and abandon" to include consideration of reclamation;

* increase the amount of financial security necessary for well drilling; and,

* require permit applicants to submit an approved drilling use plan that includes:

o expected water usage,

o potential water conservation measures,

o fluid storage and disposal measures,

o signed contract with a disposal facility,

o site specific biological and water quality data, and,

o reclamation plan including measures to mitigate the impact to existing habitat, including the preservation of habitat fragmentation

Effects Of Present Law Which This Bill Would Alter: Amends section 23-0101(13) of the Environmental Conservation Law and adds a new section 23-0305(8) to the ECL.

Justification: New York is home to rich natural gas reserves. In 2006, there were 6,213 active natural gas wells that generated a state record of 55.3 billion cubic feet of natural gas. The Marcellus formation that extends from the Southern Tier into Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia is estimated to have $1 trillion worth of natural gas, and is largely untapped. The rising price of natural gas has led to an increased demand for new sources and made formations like the Marcellus even more attrac- tive.

The extraction of these reserves is accompanied by considerable risk to the environment. In order to fully examine this risk, the Assembly Envi- ronmental Conservation Committee has held a series of hearings to exam- ine the environmental protections needed in the Department of Environ- mental Conservation's (DEC) natural gas and oil drilling regulatory

structure in order to safeguard natural resources. In the course of these hearings, much expert testimony was presented on necessary steps to ensure the safety of New York's precious water resources.

Drilling, including the development of well pads and access roads has the potential to pose long-term environmental impacts, including water shortages and runoff management. This legislation is intended to mini- mize the long-term potential impacts associated with drilling by requir- ing the development of a reclamation plan. The plan proposed within this bill is similar to the reclamation plan currently required for mining activities.

Prior Legislative History: This is a new bill.

Fiscal Implications For State And Local Governments: None.

Effective Date: This act shall take effect 90 days after enactment.