Upstate New York is one of the regions where the emergence of hydrofracking technology—the use of chemicals to maximize the extraction of natural gas deposits from vertical and, due to their potential environmental impact, increasingly controversial horizontal wells—has become a hotly contested public debate. In Rochester, NY, 13WHAM-TV recently reported on a series of public meetings on the issue.
According to the station's website, "[d]uring the first session, sixty-four people including residents and elected leaders spoke a few minutes about why they are for or against hydrofracking." More than 1,000 people attended the meeting.
The author also cited the Ford School's Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy, which recently polled residents in Pennsylvania, another region rich in national-gas deposits, about the pros and cons of hydrofracking.
According to the author, "(The CLOSUP) survey found that 41% saw more benefits than problems, while 33% felt there were more problems than pluses. Finally, 26% said the problems and benefits were about equal."
13WHAM-TV in Rochester, NY cites CLOSUP's poll on hydrofracking
November 16, 2011