|
|
|
A public hearing has been scheduled by the Brighton Town Board in order to establish a 6-month moratorium on hydrofracking—a controversial natural gas drilling method—and associated activity.
“This (moratorium) would prevent both drilling as well as issues related to drilling, for example the disposal of waste and waste water from hydrofracking within the town of Brighton,” said supervisor Sandra Frankel.
There is no hydrofracking activity going on in the town of Brighton. While the Marcellus Shale lies under the Finger Lakes/Southern Tier region of New York, Frankel said the Utica Shale formation is located under much of upstate New York, including Monroe County. Both locations hold reserves of natural gas.
“We’re taking a proactive approach in the interest of the community,” said Frankel. “We just recently heard a report about water contamination in other parts of the country which have been linked to this practice. The newer methods have raised concern, and we feel strongly about protecting our water supply.”
Frankel said the moratorium will buy time for the board to assess their options, and to consider whether or not the town code needs to be changed.
“The moratorium gives the town time to do further research with options and also to consider whether or not the town wanted to amend the town code in some way to deal specifically with hydrofracking,” she said.
Currently, Frankel said the town has no provision in the zoning regulations that relate specifically to hydrofracking
A public hearing has been scheduled by the Brighton Town Board in order to establish a 6-month moratorium on hydrofracking—a controversial natural gas drilling method—and associated activity.
“This (moratorium) would prevent both drilling as well as issues related to drilling, for example the disposal of waste and waste water from hydrofracking within the town of Brighton,” said supervisor Sandra Frankel.
There is no hydrofracking activity going on in the town of Brighton. While the Marcellus Shale lies under the Finger Lakes/Southern Tier region of New York, Frankel said the Utica Shale formation is located under much of upstate New York, including Monroe County. Both locations hold reserves of natural gas.
“We’re taking a proactive approach in the interest of the community,” said Frankel. “We just recently heard a report about water contamination in other parts of the country which have been linked to this practice. The newer methods have raised concern, and we feel strongly about protecting our water supply.”
Frankel said the moratorium will buy time for the board to assess their options, and to consider whether or not the town code needs to be changed.
“The moratorium gives the town time to do further research with options and also to consider whether or not the town wanted to amend the town code in some way to deal specifically with hydrofracking,” she said.
Currently, Frankel said the town has no provision in the zoning regulations that relate specifically to hydrofracking
