The threat of hydraulic fracking in New York has struck fear in the hearts of local foodies, with groups like Chefs for the Marcellus aiming to protect local farms, food and water supplies from future drilling with anti-fracking benefit events like tomorrow's Pesto Competition. But fresh fruits and veggies aren't the only things New Yorkers might lose if Governor Cuomo lifts the current moratorium on fracking: your favorite microbrew might become a thing of the past, too. more ›

Oil and gas companies spent millions of dollars on lobbying Albany to make a decision on hydrofracking, but the state doesn't seem any closer to allowing the practice and all sides are urging caution. "I wouldn't say it's a given," Republican state senator and hydrofracking advocate Tom Libous tells the Times. "Economically, we need it desperately. But at the end of the day, if the scientists and geologists at the D.E.C. say 'this is not a good thing to do,' I'm not going to challenge it." Did the earth just shift, or what? more ›

Governor Andrew Cuomo gave his State of the State today, vowing to make 2012 the year "we must transform our government to once again become the progressive capital of our nation." He proposed a $1 billion economic development package for Buffalo, which has the third-highest poverty rate in the country, abolishing the state's requirements for fingerprinting food stamp recipients, deemed himself the "student's lobbyist," and pitched a slew of environmental and energy improvements. But Cuomo was also mum about transportation, spoke glowingly of legalizing gambling, declined to read his brief remarks on hydraulic fracturing, and announced an ambitious plan to build the world's largest convention center at the Aquaduct Racetrack. more ›

New Yorkers have until January 11 to tell the Department of Environmental Conservation how they feel about hydrofracking, and the results of the practice in Ohio should light up their switchboards. Usually Ohio's most dangerous faults are Drew Carey-related, but it has experienced eleven earthquakes since March. Although all of them were minor, the most recent on Saturday was a 4.0 magnitude, and according to the Times the state has ordered gas companies to stop injecting "millions of gallons of brine and other waste liquids" into the ground near Youngstown until scientists can pinpoint what was going on. more ›

A draft report released by the EPA on Thursday indicating that hydraulic fracturing for natural gas is probably the cause for contaminated water supplies in central Wyoming may affect New York's impending decision on whether to permit fracking upstate. Sandra Steingraber, an Ithaca College biologist, tells the Daily News, "It takes away the industry's claim that there has never been a documented case of groundwater contamination because of fracking." more ›

Armed to the teeth with angry puns, hundreds of New Yorkers attended the Department of Conservation's fracking forum yesterday in Tribeca. Of the 40 to speak within the first few hours of the public comment period, just one man, Arthur J. Kremer of New York A.R.E.A., expressed his support for high volume hydraulic fracturing in upstate New York. During his three minutes, Kremer was interrupted by boos and hisses from the audience as he elaborated on the economic benefits of the controversial drilling method and asserted that over 50,000 jobs would be created should the plan to build and operate over 32,000 wells proceed. "If you travel to Pennsylvania, as I have," he said, "you will see that it's not an area of desolation, it's not a wasteland." more ›

Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo recently responded to the contentious hydrofracking issue by acknowledging that "the temperature is high. We have a process. Let's get the facts. Let the science and the facts make the determination, not emotion and not politics." But what about money? With $3.2 million spent by industry lobbyists in Albany last year so far dwarfing the $800K spent by environmental groups, it would appear that the gas companies are controlling the temperature. Who needs Indian Point, anyway? more ›

Could a little bit of Sin City be heading to New York? Or will we hear refrains of "Drill, baby, drill?" more ›

Andrew Cuomo has made it clear he wants to bring hydraulic fracturing, or hydro fracking (in which natural gas is extracted from the Marcellus Shale formation, often leaving nearby water flammable), to our state and today the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation went and released a revised draft report on the prospect. Which means we've all now got a 90-day public comment period (30 days more than usual) before this thing moves forward, so be prepared to hear a frack load more about fracking in the next three months! more ›

After a well blew out at a Pennsylvania gas drilling site, contaminating local waterways with thousands of gallons of drilling fluids, it seems that Governor Cuomo is a little concerned. NY1 reports that he "wants state officials to fully understand what hydrofracking is, before the controversial form of natural gas extraction is approved in New York." more ›

The 91-year-old Pete Seeger has been awfully busy lately—recently we saw him get honored at Gotham Hall, and yesterday he spent some time protesting in Albany. The activist and musician was joined by actor Mark Ruffalo (video) and other opponents of hydrofracking. The group is trying to push the Senate to adopt a one year moratorium on the gas-drilling process in New York. Naturally, Seeger wrote a song for the occasion, titled, "God's Counting On Me"—listen below (and sing along! "drill baby drill turns to spill baby spill"): more ›