STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- New York’s state assembly passed a limited ban on hydraulic fracturing
- Also known as “fracking,” it’s a controversial method of drilling for natural gas
- The EPA is studying whether fracking contaminates ground water
New York Gov. David Paterson, left, with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
(CNN) — New York could be the first state in the country to impose a limited ban on a controversial method of drilling for natural gas.
This week, the state assembly passed a hydraulic fracturing moratorium bill, which is currently en route to New York Gov. David Paterson’s desk. He will have 10 days from then to take action.
In the past, Paterson has expressed concern about hydraulic fracturing, which involves cracking thousands of feet beneath the earth’s surface to get at valuable natural gas. It is unclear if the governor will sign or veto the legislation.
“He’ll hear what everybody has to say,” a representative of the governor’s office told CNN. She would not provide her name.
