CITIZEN POWER ALLIANCE

The heads of committees looking at the effect natural gas drilling could have on Steuben County are in place, according to county Legislature Chairman Patrick Donnelly, R-Bath.

Donnelly told the county Legislature’s Agriculture, Industry and Planning Committee Monday the Task Force’s Public Safety Committee will be led by county District Attorney John Tunney, with county Department of Social Services Commissioner Kathy Muller heading up the Housing Committee. Local attorney Karl Anderson will chair the Roads and Infrastructure Committee, Donnelly said.

The chairs will also be a part of the Natural Gas Task Force Steering Committee, which now includes county Administrator Mark Alger, county Planning Director Amy Dlugos, county Legislator Joe Hauryski, R-Campbell, Erwin Town Supervisor David B. Erwin and Donnelly.

The task force was set up to prepare for the impact drilling in the Marcellus Shale natural gas fields under Steuben County.

The drilling is expected to have a significant impact on county operations in a number of areas, including the economy, roads and bridges, housing, social structures, crime, and health care.

(Click to read the entire article)