R. 10 Drilling in Marcellus Shale

Whereas Cornell University is committed to environmentally sustainable practices, including the sustainable extraction and development of natural resources, and

Whereas the University has a responsibility to protect the natural resources of the lands owned by, and adjacent to, Cornell University in order to safeguard these lands from pollution for the benefit of the entire Cornell community and the surrounding population now and into the future, and

Whereas the University Assembly is aware that gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale rock beds involves techniques known as horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing which involve pumping millions of gallons of water per well laced with a variety of chemicals including over 50 which are classified as hazardous by the federal government, and

Whereas horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing have caused extensive environmental damage throughout the western United States and more recently in West Virginia and Pennsylvania, especially with regards to the contamination of drinking and surface water, and

Whereas the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation appears to be unable to adequately enforce regulations of drilling that could ensure against similar tragedies in New York, and

Whereas the University owns thousands of acres of land in Tompkins County and throughout the Southern Tier that could potentially be leased for gas drilling using these techniques, and

Whereas a decision to lease this land could expose the University, the Ithaca community, and the surrounding area to incredible risk and economic hardship, especially with regards to access to safe drinking water and the deterioration of public natural and built resources, and

Whereas any decision to lease would affect the health and safety of the entire Cornell community and the surrounding area, and

Whereas any such decision should be made transparently and with input from all segments of the Cornell community,

Therefore let it be resolved that President David Skorton form a committee of faculty and staff experts on the environment, students, and administrators to investigate the potential risks and benefits associated with the leasing of Cornell owned land for horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, and

Be it further resolved that this committee submit recommendations to the President, and that at least a draft version of these recommendations be made public by March 1, 2010 regarding whether Cornell should lease its land holdings, whether Cornell should incorporate in leasing agreements, and whether safety requirements beyond those required by the NYDEC should be developed for any such leased Cornell land, and

Be it further resolved that no decision on leasing any Cornell owned land and on safety guidelines that are included in Cornell leasing agreements for horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing operations be made before this committee completes its analysis and submits its recommendations to President Skorton and the general public.