Andrew Cuomo, the governor of New York, recently decided to explore lifting the ban on hydraulic fracturing (hydrofracking) in southern shale formations. This is a process used by natural gas companies to increase extraction rates of gas. It involves pumping massive amounts of water mixed with sand and chemicals into wellbores - a very controversial practice because it has been shown that some of the chemicals can leak into water systems nearby, potentially harming consumers of the water. The wastewater can also be contaminated by naturally occurring elements, and then seeps into other bodies of water.
Cuomo supports the drilling for economic purposes. I argue against this, primarily because hydrofracking is a relatively new practice and may have unforeseen consequences in the future. Even so, the risk to health is significant enough that no amount of economic growth could make it worth allowing. I hope that Governor Cuomo reconsiders, and decides to let what has effectively been a moratorium be.
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