One of the major points of criticism of the DEC’s draft sGEIS is that New York State does not currently have the water treatment facilities in place to handle the volume of flowback water expected from the hydrofracking process. This is true enough. Even taking into account the expected use of recycled water from one well to the next, existing treatment facilities cannot handle the volume or composition of the flowback water. New facilities will be necessary. While the opposition views the lack of facilities as a roadblock, others see opportunity and jobs…good jobs in construction, engineering, management and maintenance.

The sGEIS is criticized for not having treatment options but what investor would move forward on a project in such an uncertain regulatory climate? We don’t know when or if permitting and drilling will ever happen in New York State so how can we expect businesses to invest in multi-million dollar water treatment projects. Exxon-Mobil included a clause in their land lease deal in New York that gave them an out if the final regulations are business adverse. Other investors are being cautious as well. Investors are waiting for a green light from the DEC in order to proceed but the DEC can’t identify treatment facilities so the opposition is claiming that New York State is not ready to handle the drilling. A catch-22.

New York needs jobs and investment not further study and more review of a process that has been proven safe across the United States for decades. We need to take down the regulatory roadblocks and encourage investment in all aspects of Marcellus Shale development, including water treatment, so that we can begin to experience the economic benefits that safe, clean and responsible development can bring.