ALBANY – The state Assembly adopted a resolution Wednesday imposing a two-year moratorium on hydraulic fracturing. 

The measure is also in the Senate, where it was introduced by Senator David Carlucci (D, Rockland/Westchester).

“A quick buck is not worth the long-term debt that our children will have to live with if we get this decision wrong”, Carlucci said.   “Rushing to judgment without all of the facts is a recipe for a disaster, particularly involving a hydrofracking process that lacks transparency and accountability, and has appeared to pose significant harmful health effects towards populations surrounding the Marcellus Shale.  Let’s get the facts at our disposal before we launch into unchartered territory.”

According to the proposed legislation, the DEC Commissioner shall not proceed to finalize and publish the revised SGEIS prior to a 24 month period and the completion of both the EPA and Geisinger Health System studies. 

Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb (R,C,I, Canandaigua) was critical of  moratorium.

"Today's vote is another troubling illustration of legislative priorities that are based on ceremony, rather than substance”, Kolb said.   “The state's own public health and environmental experts have yet to complete a full hydrofracking analysis, on which Governor Cuomo will base his final determination.  The Majority's moratorium is a one-house bill, passed without a final review from DOH and DEC, and is a waste of taxpayer resources.