In the Northeast, there is an area that extends throughout much of the Appalachian Basin called The Marcellus Shale. This area would appear to offer the perfect resource to produce more gas and according to the gas companies, create new jobs. The shale contains largely untapped natural gas reserves and has now become the prime focus for energy development as the natural gas industry pumps millions of dollars to convince the public that the current methods of extraction are not only perfectly safe but will create hundreds of jobs. The process of extracting the gas is called hydro-fracking or more commonly referred to as fracking. While it seems to be the perfect solution there are many people who are very concerned about the natural gas companies promises of prosperity as toxic chemicals are pumped very close to their drinking water. Many people are beginning to speak out and want answers to questions such as how safe is fracking and what exactly does fracking do to the environment? If there is a problem, is the land owner responsible for the environmental clean up? Does the local fire department have proper training and resources to put out any unexpected fires? How will this affect your property value? For the last three years, Councilman James Gennaro and other elected officials and environmental advocates have to called upon New Yorkers to prevent natural gas drilling in any part of New York City’s million-acre upstate drinking water supply that provides drinking water for more than nine million New Yorkers. In this segment of The Organic View Radio Show, host, June Stoyer talks to Councilman James Gennaro about the regulations and how this will impact the land. Stay tuned!