October 29, 2009

ALBANY--- Chesapeake Energy says it won't drill for natural gas in the New York City watershed in upstate New York because of opposition from politicians and environmental groups.
      Chesapeake announced its decision Wednesday, hours before a public hearing on new state gas-drilling regulations that critics say are insufficient to protect New York City's water supply. The company says it is the only leaseholder in the one-million-acre Catskills region of forests, lakes and streams. The region provides water to the city's 8 million residents.
     Chesapeake is one of the nation's largest natural gas producers.