CITIZEN POWER ALLIANCE

The responses came from Buffalo to Albany, from Plattsburgh to Long Island, from states as far away as Nevada.

Everyone from college students to senior citizens sent them in, even a child the age of six.

They were written online and by hand, from elected officials to everyday citizens and business owners.

They are the 18,100 comments the state has received so far on its study of hydraulic fracturing for natural gas, with each submission manually logged by Department of Environmental Conservation staff.

A review by Gannett's Albany Bureau of the public comments submitted through Dec. 16, obtained through a Freedom of Information Law request, shows interest from all corners of the state. Submissions from those against hydrofracking appeared to outnumber those from supporters by at least a 10-to-1 margin.

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