Hanson — Volume 65, Issue 2

New York State has maintained a statewide ban on hydraulic fracturing (fracking) for natural gas extraction, despite the state's significant reserves in the Marcellus Shale formation. This comment explores liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) fracking as a potential legal alternative that circumvents existing prohibitions. Hanson examines the history of hydrofracking debates in New York, analyzing environmental and water contamination concerns that prompted Governor Paterson's seven-year moratorium and subsequent ban. The article explains the technical advantages of high-volume hydraulic fracturing (HVHF) and horizontal drilling compared to vertical fracking, detailing how HVHF requires millions of gallons of chemically-treated water. Hanson argues that LPG fracking offers environmental and legal benefits that could satisfy both industry and environmental concerns while complying with existing law. The comment concludes that liquefied petroleum gas fracking should be approved under current New York regulations as a viable middle ground between economic development and environmental protection.

Topics: Environmental Law · Administrative Law

Keywords: hydraulic fracturing · Marcellus Shale · liquefied petroleum gas · environmental protection · fracking ban · horizontal drilling · natural gas extraction