EPA Report Won’t Affect State’s Ban On Fracking

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Business groups are calling on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to lift New York's fracking ban after the Environmental Protection Agency reported the technology hasn't caused widespread harm to drinking water, but the Cuomo administration says the ban will stay.

Department of Environmental Conservation spokesman Tom Mailey says the EPA review released Thursday focused on impacts to water related to high-volume hydraulic fracturing. But he said the state's review was much broader, evaluating impacts to air, water, public health, ecosystems, wildlife and communities.

Mailey said the state's review identified "many potential significant adverse impacts." He said DEC will soon release a legal document formalizing the state's fracking ban.

The EPA study warned of potential contamination if safeguards aren't maintained and acknowledged that numerous factors limited the certainty of the draft report.