New York Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli proposed establishing an industry-supported fund to recover damages caused by accidents related to Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling.
DiNapoli lacked specifics in last Tuesday’s statement, but said his program would model New York’s oil spill fund, and said he would collaborate with the Department of Environmental Conservation and attorney general’s office.
The department two months ago recommended allowing hydraulic fracturing, known as “fracking,” in most parts of the Marcellus Shale region of New York’s southern tier.
A commission in neighboring Pennsylvania recently advised that state’s governor, Tom Corbett, to implement a user fee for companies that drill for shale.
Some analysts have said that despite business growth from related activity, cities and counties would experience infrastructure strain that could affect their bond ratings.
