Binghamton, NY (WBNG Binghamton) As the public comment period to weigh in on the Department of Environmental Conservation's report on hydro-fracking comes to a close, people rally all across the Empire State to push their support for, or reasons against hydraulic fracturing for natural gas.
Supporters of the process say they're waiting on the DEC to decide rules and regulations for distributing gas drilling permits in the state of New York.
They say their goal is to spread positive news about gas drilling -- such as the impact the process would have on the economy.
Supporters say potential gas drilling jobs could pump upwards of millions of dollars back into the Southern Tier.
"We have millions of dollars in payroll of people that work in the triple cities, that money goes back to the grocery stores, car dealers, the mall, and every other retail outfit you can think of. That's what the trickle down is all about," says Neil Guiles with BK Energy Services.
Those against the process say there's much more to consider than money.
The opposing side argues the regulations currently in place are not enough to protect New York's land.
More than 21,000 people across the state argue permits to drill can't be issued until there is a final mitigation plan in place, and all environmental hazards have been take care of.
"There have been so many comments, so many criticisms, and shortcoming of the SGEIS that we just all these 21,000 people agree this cannot protect our land and water," says Benjamin Perkus.
Those for and against the process rallied at the Holiday Inn Arena.
There were five pro-drilling events that happened simultaneously across the state Tuesday.
Similar events were held in Candor, Corning, Oneonta and Albany.
Perkus said groups opposing hydro-fracking also planned to rally outside of those events.
The public comment period on the DEC's revised draft of the Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement ends Wednesday.
The DEC says it may take months to review the thousands of comments before it releases its final SGEIS.
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