Members of the Independent Oil & Gas Association of New York on Wednesday will gather in Albany to ask lawmakers to reject legislation that would further delay natural gas exploration in the Marcellus Shale formation.

More than 75 industry professionals will arrive from all corners of the state to share their regional stories of economic hardship and describe the tremendous economic opportunity facing New York.

Additionally, the delegation will ask lawmakers to reject a proposed second production – or severance – tax on the natural gas industry. The tax could put thousands of low-volume producing wells across New York out of operation. The industry, which already pays an ad valorem tax, believes the tax is poorly timed, will inhibit future natural gas exploration, and exclusively affect Upstate New York communities. 

Producers would not be the only victims. If these companies fail, state and local governments would lose property taxes, landowners would lose royalty payments and companies would be forced to lay off workers.

WHO:             IOGA of NY Members 

WHAT:           Legislative Visits

WHEN:           Wednesday, March 10, 2010

1/26/10 – Landowner coalitions from New York’s Southern Tier and Catskills representing 23 landowner groups and 17,500 families held a rally and news conference near the Capitol in Albany today. These volunteer advocates were here in support of safe natural gas exploration and to debunk the misrepresentations being spread by obstructionist groups.

Read the full release here.

View photos from the Say YES to Marcellus rally here.

ALBANY, NY – Landowner Coalitions from New York’s Southern Tier will hold a rally and news conference in Albany in support of the safe exploration for natural gas and to debunk the misrepresentations and outright lies being spread by obstructionist groups.

WHO: Advocates for National Gas Exploration

WHAT: “Say YES to Marcellus! Stop the Frackin’ Lies!” Rally

WHERE: Lafayette Park, located on Washington Avenue, across from the NYS Capitol

WHEN: Monday, January 25, 2010 – 10 a.m.: Rally begins – 10:30 a.m.: News conference   

Busloads of landowners, business leaders and scientists will appeal to Albany lawmakers to focus on the facts about natural gas exploration in the Marcellus Shale, specifically the safe process of hydraulic fracturing. Hydraulic fracturing – or “fracking” – releases gas locked in shale by injecting pressurized fluid into the formation to shatter the rock. This process, which occurs deep underground and far from groundwater and surface water, has been performed safely in New York for decades. It will produce efficient, abundant and environmentally clean fuel, increase New York’s energy independence and bring thousands of jobs and billions of dollars to New York.

Download the “Say YES to Marcellus! Stop the Frackin’ Lies!” rally flyer and map here.

1/19/09 – The Independent Oil & Gas Association of New York today voiced opposition to a proposal by the Paterson Administration to impose a “severance tax” on oil and natural gas production in New York State.

In his just-released Executive Budget for 2010-11, Governor Paterson has proposed a 3-percent severance tax on the market value of natural gas harvested – or severed – from a gas pool in the Marcellus or Utica Shale formations. The tax would apply to horizontal wells, which have the potential to produce greater volumes of natural gas. There is already a production tax on the existing 14,000 wells in New York that are producing natural gas – through a real property tax assessment – which primarily stays in local communities.

Read the full release here.