New York state’s ban on hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is a significant decision for its jurisdiction, but it may have long-term limitations. They also warn that comprehensive studies on the environmental impacts of the process are still years away.

The following experts are able to talk to media:

Timothy Carr, WVU’s Marshall Miller professor of geology, says “Currently there is no scientific data that demonstrates that hydraulic fracturing is intrinsically unsafe compared to other oil and gas wells. That’s why a comprehensive assessment is so important.”

Dr. Paul Ziemkiewicz, director of the West Virginia Water Research Institute, specializes in issues surrounding the use and disposal of water in drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale region. He points out that many previous studies are based on sampling wells in various developmental stages (drilling, completion and production) without accounting for variability due to the complete cycle. As a result, the data appears highly variable.

Joshua Fershee, a WVU professor of law, specializes in energy law and corporate energy-business law. He believes New York’s ban on fracking will have negative outcomes as energy lobbyists wield their influence to combat the state’s decision.

He says that the short-term reality of the ban is that it raises the value of Pennsylvania and West Virginia mineral rights by reducing competition, which is good for mineral rights holders in those states.

For more information, see: http://wvutoday.wvu.edu/n/2014/12/19/wvu-experts-say-ban-on-fracking-demonstrates-the-need-for-comprehensive-and-reliable-scientific-data-has-negative-long-term-outcomes

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