Hydrofracking could create a bonanza of nearly 54,000 jobs and $2.5 billion in economic activity in New York, according to a report released yesterday by state environmental regulators.
Drilling for natural gas in the upstate Marcellus Shale would create 24,795 direct full-time jobs, including 17,634 construction jobs when well construction hits its peak, the Department of Environmental Conservation report projected.
That’s apart from another 29,174 “indirect” jobs, such as food-service workers and parts suppliers, according to the DEC’s revised environmental-impact statement.
“DEC’s number-one priority is to protect the state’s drinking water and environment in concert with exploring options to safely and efficiently extract the state’s natural gas,” said DEC Commissioner Joseph Martens. “This will enable New York’s economy to benefit from this resource and the job opportunities that development is expected to bring.”
The industry could generate $24 million to $125 million in annual income tax.