BINGHAMTON, NY (Legal Newsline) - Pennsylvania State Senator Doug Mastriano (R) recently voiced his support for fracking in the Southern Tier where energy resources abound.
“Pennsylvania is the third greatest energy producer in the nation, and you have that potential here in New York so I look forward to working with you in getting some pipelines across to fuel New England so you can stop buying oil and gas off and Russia and Putin,” Mastriano said at a press conference.
The Southern Tier is part of the Marcellus and Utica shales.
“When we look at a way to truly reinvigorate New York's economy, clean fracking, natural gas, and nuclear power are what must be focused on here in the state of New York,” said Andrew Giuliani who lost his bid for governor of New York in the GOP primary June 28 to Lee Zeldin.
The Marcellus Shale natural gas reserve spans New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia while the Utica Shale encompasses Kentucky and Tennessee.
“Ninety-nine-point-nine percent of fracking wells in Pennsylvania are safe,” Mastriano said. “There are very few leaks and almost no contamination. The technology is so precise now that instead of having 20 wells on a site to get the gas from the deep wells, you only need one. They dive deep and go horizontal. So, it's very safe in that regard and as far as the coal Pennsylvania produces, we've driven down CO2 admissions with modern technology that’s very safe and proven. If you bring that technology north, it will be prosperous here in Binghamton and across upstate New York. It’s the kind of prosperity you need back.”
Mastriano, who is campaigning for governor of Pennsylvania, was in New York along with Rudy Guiliani to support the younger Guiliani's candidacy.
“Because of your desire to open up the energy sector here and bring prosperity to the people of New York, it's too easy for me to heartily give you my endorsement,” he said. “I look forward to helping you guys to develop the energy sources here. Our energy sector in Pennsylvania is clean, it's safe, and it makes America greater. It brings prosperity to our people.”
Had he been elected governor, Guiliani planned to prioritize both shales.
"Unfortunately, we have it banned in the state of New York," he said. "I would look to immediately put that on the ballot and figure out ways to use my leverage so that we can tap into this. Over 90% of the landmass in New York is covered by the Marcellus and Utica shales."