Fracking moratorium passed in Assembly

The New York State Assembly overwhelmingly approved a two-year moratorium on hydraulic fracturing on March 6.

The measure bans the practice, called fracking, until May 15, 2015. Fracking involves blasting shale with water and various chemicals to extract natural gas trapped inside.

The Assembly wants to ban fracking until there is “conclusive scientific evidence” on possible health and environmental risks. The moratorium covers the Southern Tier to the Catskills.

The state Senate has not moved on approving a moratorium on fracking, while Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo continues to meet with committees and wait for more evidence from health and environmental conservation departments before making a decision on a moratorium.

Supporters of fracking say it would be a boost to the struggling upstate New York economy and that the health and environmental risks are unfounded.