Report details potential costs of fracking

Hydrofracking could cost New York state millions in areas like health care, property values, roads and infrastructure, and contamination, according to a report from Environment New York, an environmental advocacy organization.

The report details numerous costs associated with fracking. The drilling technique has opened new areas for oil and gas exploration, but environmental advocates have raised concerns about its safety.

New York has a moratorium in place on fracking as the state considers possible regulations. Large areas of upstate New York could be attractive to drilling companies if hydrofracking is allowed.

In Pennsylvania, where hydrofracking is legal, one oil and gas company spent $109,000 on systems to remove methane from well water for 14 households, according to Environment New York. The report also stated that Texas approved $40 million for road repairs related to hydrofracking and Pennsylvania estimated in 2010 that $265 million would be needed for similar repairs.

Fracking supporters argue that drilling can bring jobs to New York and reduce dependence on oil.

The technique could bring up to 15,000 jobs to the state, including those directly connected to drilling and in related sectors, says Brian Sampson, executive director at Unshackle Upstate, a business advocacy group.

Fracking could bring well-paying jobs to New York state faster than the beer and wine industry, the yogurt industry, and the nanotechnology industry, Sampson says.

“There’s no industry in New York that can produce the number of jobs as quickly … as natural gas extraction,” Sampson says.

Sampson also says New York would have the opportunity to reduce its dependence on imported natural gas if fracking is approved. The state currently imports 95 percent of its gas, he says.

Contact Imbert at news@cnybj.com