New York State Senate Bill - Summer

This report analyzes the need for and design of a Hydraulic Fracturing Waste Tracking Program in New York State, as proposed by New York State Senate Bill 6892‑2011. It asserts that despite a moratorium on high‑volume hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in New York, economic incentives and technological advances make shale gas extraction — particularly from the Marcellus Shale — likely in the near future, with significant implications for public health and the environment.

Fracking involves injecting water, sand, and chemical additives under high pressure to extract natural gas, raising environmental concerns due to the large volumes of water used and the potential for contamination from the fracking fluid returned to the surface. The report emphasizes that managing and disclosing the contents of this waste is a critical first step toward regulating fracking impacts.

Senate Bill 6892 would establish a state‑level waste tracking system to monitor hydraulic fracturing fluid and related wastes, defining them as hazardous and ensuring transparent reporting. The program design includes mechanisms for tracking upstream and downstream waste flows and better understanding their composition, transport, and potential effects.

The analysis evaluates fracking’s advantages — such as natural gas’s relatively lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to coal — against environmental and health risks. It also outlines areas needing further research and policy development.

Overall, the report concludes that a comprehensive waste tracking program is a necessary foundation for any regulatory regime governing hydraulic fracturing, particularly in regions like New York where uncertainties remain about long‑term environmental impacts.

Learn more about the MPA-ESP Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Management.