STATEMENT FROM SENATE MAJORITY CONFERENCE LEADER JOHN L. SAMPSON

“Access to safe drinking water affects families across regions and county lines and without regard to party lines. Much of the Southern Tier, Central New York, the Hudson Valley, and New York City all draw their water from the area proposed to be explored from the Marcellus Shale. We don’t need to look any further than the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico to recognize the importance of fully understanding the impact of drilling before breaking ground. Senator Thompson’s legislation is sound policy that will keep New York’s water supply safe for all families, and I hope members from both sides of the aisle can come together to ensure any action commences according to the highest standards of accountability.”