Broome County is situated above the geological Marcellus Shale formation extending northeast from the Appalachian mountain range. This shale formation is believed to hold an abundance of natural gas. Broome County and its residents have received many solicitations for mineral leases from natural gas companies.

The industry refers to this activity as a developing “Natural Gas Play.” Broome County is in the epicenter.

The County has approached this natural gas play from two perspectives: as a property owner and as a representative of those who work and live in our community.

There are obviously many environmental, legal and political issues attached to gas drilling. The county has taken many steps including the following to address these issues:

• We have worked with our state representatives.
• We have researched problems, approaches and solutions in other communities experiencing a similar natural gas play. These include municipalities over the Trenton Black River Formation in New York and the Barnett Shale in Texas. Officials in those communities have shared their ideas and expertise with us.

  Rural producing well. Ft. Worth, TX	Producing well at edge of urban core. Ft Worth, TX	Rural producing well. Chemung County, NY	Seimic testing. Chemung County, NY
  Click on an image above to view a larger version of that image *Photos courtesy of Joseph Sluzar

• We are consulting with environmental/engineering experts experienced with exploration, drilling, production and transmission issues.
• We are drafting requests for lease proposals (RFPs), road permits, agreements and local laws designed to mitigate the potential for environmental damage.

Broome County Executive, Barbara Fiala, has directed involved department heads to share our research and proposals with other local governments and our residents. As a result the County has taken the following additional steps:

• County Executive Fiala has contacted every municipality in Broome County and BOCES on behalf of all school districts. (July 2008  &  August 2008) We have offered our assistance to these municipalities, and we have also solicited their advice and counsel.
• Attorneys from our legal department are meeting regularly with municipal attorneys representing our other local governments.
• County department heads have agreed to present our perspective to local coalitions and municipal officials.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), regulates most aspects of natural gas drilling. Nevertheless it is important that local governments and local coalitions work together. This will foster an atmosphere which will allow us to accomplish two important goals—protect our neighborhoods and environment and enjoy the economic benefits from this play.

As this natural gas play develops and matures, we will continue to address these issues.

Marcellus Shale Natural Gas Presentation
Gas Leasing Committee Meeting

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