API Statement on the Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement for Natural Gas

Bill Bush | 202-682-8069 | bushw@api.org

WASHINGTON, October 1, 2009 - The American Petroleum Institute issued the following statement today concerning the Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement for natural gas production issued by the state of New York yesterday:

“We share the state’s interest in safe and environmentally responsible drilling and production - and believe that state regulation is the most appropriate and effective way to protect ground and surface waters during these activities.

“The New York Department of Environmental Conservation has previously noted there was ‘no record of any documented instance of groundwater contamination caused by hydraulic fracturing for gas well development in New York, despite the use of this technology in thousands of wells across the state during the past 50 or more years.'"

“The natural gas resource contained in the Marcellus Shale is potentially vast. It may significantly help meet the energy needs of the region and the nation for decades. Responsible production of this resource will also create jobs for New Yorkers and deliver substantial revenues to the state’s treasury.”