The purpose of the linked graphic (see PDF linked below) is to illustrate the difference between what NY State already earns from farms, dairy, wineries, tourism, hunting and fishing, wildlife watching, etc, and what NY State might earn from the gas extraction industry, both over the next 20 years. This source information is in the public domain, as the footnotes show. It doesn’t and isn’t intended to estimate the cost of the damage done. That’s a very tricky and likely impossible estimate to do. However, evidence from Pennsylvania and out west show that harm does occur, and that needs to be considered in this equation.

The bottom line? Continue reading What are potential economic gains and risks of gas drilling