CITIZEN POWER ALLIANCE

While scores of environmental groups have loudly expressed their concerns with the state's proposed rules for shale-gas drilling, industry representatives are making clear they aren't pleased, either.

While initially remaining quiet when the Department of Environmental Conservation released its latest review of hydraulic fracturing in September, the gas industry has started publicly pushing back against proposed regulations that some say are "onerous" and could keep drillers out of New York.

"We're all about seeing the environment protected and having a high environmental bar. Nobody has any objection to that," said Thomas West, an Albany attorney and lobbyist who represents several gas companies. "But if you go to far and it gets too expensive, then New York won't be competitive with other states like Pennsylvania and Ohio -- and we won't have much drilling or leasing activity."

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