Congressman Maurice Hinchey wants New York to conduct more studies before opening up the state to gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale.
While acknowledging the potential economic benefits of drilling for natural gas, Hinchey sent a list of recommendations to the D-E-C which is drafting regulations to govern the process.
Echoing the call of many environmentalists, the congressman wants the D-E-C to study the cumulative effects of drilling regionally, which the current draft doesn't take into account.
Hinchey wants to ban toxic chemicals from the fracking fluids and calls for the formulation of the chemicals to be disclosed.
He suggests a thorough review of alleged problems with drilling in states such as Pennsylvania and Wyoming.
He wants private well monitoring handled by the D-E-C, rather than local governments, and for the gas companies to cover the cost of testing.
And, among other requests, Hinchey would like the D-E-C to dramatically increase its budget and staff for overseeing the drilling industry.
Finally, the congressman called for a 90 day extension of the public comment period which is scheduled to end on December 31st.
The U-S Department of Housing and Urban Development is breaking with the past and quickly renewing grants for programs that serve the homeless.
HUD says the new approach eliminates the risk of federal funds being interrupted during the application process.
Nearly 800 thousand dollars will be given to Fairview Recovery Services and the Y-W-C-A for housing and other programs in 2010.
Endicott Police have arrested the man allegedly responsible for robbing the C-V-S pharmacy on North Street Monday.
24 year old Zachariah Burns of Bainbridge has been charged with one count of robbery.
Burns allegedly wrestled prescription drugs from a customer who was leaving C-V-S.
Burns then fled the store as a passenger in a black Mitsubishi Eclipse, which was located in Nineveh.
The driver has not been charged in connection to the robbery at this time.
To kick off the Christmas holiday, employees of Security Mutual held their annual Caroling event.
As always, Mike Whitney was on hand to lead the singers through Rudolph, Frosty and Jingle Bells. This is the 15th year the company has been caroling to friends and family.
