Innovation Trail: Special Hydrofracking Coverage

A decision could come down the pipeline any day…giving natural gas drillers the go ahead to start hydraulic fracturing – hydrofracking – in New York State.

WXXI’s Innovation Trail adds to its extensive coverage of this issue with a three-part series of radio reports, a one-hour radio documentary, and a special edition of 1370 Connection on AM 1370.

Radio reports will air Tuesday, September 11 through Thursday, September 13 at 6:35 a.m. and again at 8:35 a.m. during Morning Edition on AM 1370. Reports include:

• Tuesday: Innovation Trail reporter Daniel Robison examines questions surrounding the objectivity of hydrofracking research
• Wednesday: Innovation Trail reporter Marie Cusick finds out what could happen in court once a decision on hydrofracking is made
• Thursday: Innovation Trail reporter Ryan Delaney reports on how local governments are planning to hold natural gas companies accountable for the extra strain on roads, bridges, and other infrastructure if the ban on hydrofracking is lifted.

Coverage wraps up with two hours a radio documentary and discussion during 1370 Connection on Thursday from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on AM 1370. At the noon hour, Innovation Trail presents Deposit at the Crossroads. Produced by Innovation Trail reporter Matt Richmond and Editor Matthew Leonard, the radio documentary looks at the debate over hydraulic fracturing in New York, which has opened deep divides in Southern Tier towns like Deposit. As the Department Environmental Conservation nears a decision on fracking in New York, supporters and opponents both believe that the decision will make all the difference in preserving their way of life. Deposit at the Crossroads explores how we got to this point in New York's debate over natural gas development and what's at stake as the next phase draws near.

Then at 1 p.m. 1370 Connection host Bob Smith invites Deposit at the Crossroads producers Richmond and Leonard in studio for a one-hour call in special. The program includes analysis from WXXI Capitol Bureau Correspondent Karen DeWitt and former Gannett reporter Tom Wilber.