Fracking safe if precautions are followed?

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Well bill also out of New York a major step forward for the controversial gas drilling technique known as Hydro fracking.

The State's department of health saying the gas drilling process is not a danger to public health if proper safeguards are put in place.

Senior national correspondent John Roberts is live in Atlanta with that story for -- hi John.

Hey -- and good morning -- you know there has been a de facto moratorium in place on fracking in New York State awaiting the results of it.

Comprehensive environmental assessment study.

But the industry was handed a big win win this draft report from New York State's department of health which is being kept secret since February of last year.

Was leaked yesterday -- reads in part quote significant adverse impacts on human health are not expected.

From routine high volume hydraulic fracturing operations New York governor Mario Cuomo has delayed a decision.

On whether to allow hydraulic fracturing in his state it's estimated that the economic benefits could be in the billions -- bring much needed revenue to New York State.

But environmental groups have been up in arms about the potential of drilling there and the industry fears the Governor Cuomo may cave into that pressure.

The New York department -- -- of environmental conservation which we'll have the final say says don't read too much into this draft report Emily Desantis the spokeswoman saying quote.

The document is nearly a year old and does not reflect final DEC policy.

No conclusion should be drawn from this partial.

Outdated summary that again.

-- so what happens now.

Well it this really means nothing official but it certainly is of great PR value industry sources I talked to just a little while ago said.

When you have a department of health.

In a democratic administration saying hydraulic fracturing is safe that is significant.

The department of health is expected to issue a final report on all of this by the end of this month industry sources say if a divergence markedly from.

What this draft report from a year ago says.

Then it will be an indication that this process may be all about politics -- and all right John Roberts thank you.

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