The clash between rural New York state mineral rights owners and opponents of natural gas development comes through in a new short film, “The Empire State Divided,” by the Foundation for Land and Liberty. The 22-minute film is divided into three parts. Check out part 1 below and see all three here.

The film was produced by Karen Moreau, the foundation’s former president who earlier this month was named executive director of the New York State Petroleum Council, a division of API. The film depicts economic and political conditions in the state’s southern tier, where struggling farmers and job-starved communities see the potential benefits of natural gas production being kept out of reach by the state’s moratorium on hydraulic fracturing, which is strongly backed by natural gas oppone... more »

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has sent letters to several drilling companies requesting information about the chemicals in hydraulic fracturing fluids. EPA says the request is part of its study into the hydraulic fracturing practice.

As we've explained on this blog, hydraulic fracturing is a process that forces pressurized fluids--consisting of more than 99 percent water--down the wellbore to create tiny fissures in the rock, allowing oil and natural gas to flow more easily up through the well. The combination of hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling is credited with greatly increasing U.S. natural gas supplies.

EPA also is conducting a series of public hearings on hydraulic fracturing. Next week large crowds are expected to attend two days of hearings in New York, wher... more »