By Jason Weinstein.

An attorney representing a Tioga County farm looking to use an alternative form of fracking says the permitting application is still moving forward with the state.


Adam Schultz is an attorney who represents Snyder Farm in Barton. He says the state's Department of Environmental Conservation has asked for more information as part of the permitting process.


Thursday in Binghamton Walter Hang of Toxics Targeting criticized the state for leaving open what he calls loopholes on it's ban on fracking. These include using gel propane to frack, which is what Snyder Farm wants to do. Also, only banning fracking projects which need 300,000 gallons of water at each stage. This, says Hang, leaves open the possibility of projects which have one stage that may have under that 300,000 gallon limit. Schultz says these aren't loopholes, but well-established regulations.


"You've heard, I'm sure, some people discuss loopholes or such things. It simply is not a loophole. The study that was done and the ban that was enacted simply doesn't apply to this type of project," said Schultz.


Schultz says there is no timetable on the state's decision on whether it will approve the permit, but he says it will be a public process. Hang is calling for a letter-writing campaign to the governor to tighten the ban.