On January 11, 2013, WLF filed formal comments with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), urging it to move forward with its proposed regulation of hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) within the State. Fracking is a method of extracting oil and gas that has led to significant production increases throughout the U.S. in recent years, but New York has imposed a moratorium on all fracking for the past five years while it studies potential environmental concerns. The Commissioner of Health is expected soon to issue a study that will conclude that the health hazards of fracking are minimal, provided that adequate environmental controls are put in place. WLF recommended that once that report is issued, DEC should immediately: (1) issue its regulations and lift its moratorium on fracking; and (2) make clear that local jurisdictions are not permitted to impose their own moratoriums.