Drill, but don't destroy.
That's the message Broome County's sounding about natural gas exploration.
County leaders held this rally and petition signing at Broome Community College.
That's where New York's Department of Environmental Conservation is holding a public hearing tonight.
It's listening to concerns about the environmental impact of harvesting natural gas from the Marcellus Shale.
The petition is asking for the DEC to responsibly oversee drilling in our area.
It cites concerns about possible ground water contamination and heavy truck traffic on local roads.
"Marcellus gas can be a tremendous economic boom for Broome County but we're also very concerned about our environment. It's not mutually exclusive. We can do it together and that's why we're here just to explain where we're coming from."says Broome County Executive Barbara Fiala.
The DEC is meeting with the public now at BCC's West Gym on Upper Front Street.
The hearing will last until every person who wants to speak is heard.
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