With gas companies rushing to drill in New York, many are pushing for the state government to step in and regulate the industry.

Representatives from the state's Department of Environmental Conservation held this public comment session tonight at Broome Community College.

The DEC wrote a draft of all the possible regulations and problems involved with the gas industry, called a scope.

It's now looking to the public to give them insight on things they may have missed.

As Action News Reporter Reed Buterbaugh tells us, while some are saying "drill, baby, drill", those with environmental concerns are still worried about the process.

The exploration of natural gas in the Southern Tier can provide clean burning energy for the country, and millions to the local economy.

But a moratorium on new gas drilling in New York is putting a delay on that.

"It's something that we need to take advantage of while we have the opportunity right now. Natural gas companies are taking their business to other states where they're being allowed to drill and we need to take action."says Steve Parmarter of Binghamton.

Advocates for drilling at this public comment session say it's already being done safely in other parts of the state.

"It's important to know that this industry, we do this everyday and while it seems new to the people here. This stuff is being done everyday in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and other parts of New York state."says Brad Gill of the Oil & Gas Association of New York.

But the proposed drilling of the Marcellus shale would be a much larger operation than what's currently being done here in New York.

"This is a radical revolutionary change in our region's economy and society. If we don't do that in a way that protects that and protects the water and the air and our health and safety, we could lose everything that we live here to enjoy."says Adam Flint of Vestal.

Releasing the gas from the rock, which is thousands of feet below the surface, requires millions of gallons a day.

At this meeting, worries of jeopardizing the water supply ran rampant.

"We need the water to survive and how many of us want to end up with tainted water and the lives of our children and grandchildren damaged because they don't have essential clean water they need."

The federal government exempts gas companies from telling the public the chemicals they use in natural gas drilling.

In the Town of Dickinson, Reed Buterbaugh, WBNG-TV Action News.

If you missed tonight's public comment session, you have two more chances to catch one.

The first is December 2nd in Oneonta, in the Hunt Union Ballroom at SUNY Oneonta.

The next is December 4th, in the Fieldhouse at Sullivan County Community College in Loch Sheldrake.

By spring, the DEC hopes to have another draft of its position on natural gas drilling.

From there, the public will have at least a month to make more comments.