Fracking Supporters Rally in Albany

The loudest voices you hear when it comes to the hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” debate in New York state usually come from anti-fracking groups.

A rally in support of fracking and the jobs it could bring to Southern Tier counties was held at the capital on Monday.  In addition to advocating for fracking, demonstrators were rallying against Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s recent decision to conduct a new study on the potential impacts on public health, as well as his decision to start the regulatory process over, which will require the state to hold an public hearing that will likely push a decision into next year.

WATCH VIDEO:

On the Capitol Report on Oct. 15, Susan Arbetter reported on the pro-fracking side of the natural gas drilling debate in New York. Video courtesy of the Capitol Report.

The possibility of huge and immediate profits is tough to pass up for many poor rural landowners, many of whom say the environmental risks have been over-hyped.

Lobbyists for the oil and gas industry have invested $4.5 million to win Albany over in the past three years, according to a study conducted by the New York Public Interest Research Group. One company has even filed a lawsuit against a New York town that passed a ban against fracking.