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"Fracking" opponents pack NY budget hearing

By Associated Press

Story Created: Feb 4, 2013 at 11:20 AM EDT

Story Updated: Feb 4, 2013 at 4:44 PM EDT

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Busloads of opponents of natural gas drilling using hydraulic fracturing are in Albany to hear the state's top environmental official testify before lawmakers.

State lawmakers are expected to question Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens about fracking. One shouting protester confronted Martens before he began his testimony Monday morning.

Later Monday, Arun Gandhi, grandson of nonviolent protest leader Mahatma Gandhi, will be among those presenting a "pledge of resistance" to fracking to Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Cuomo has said his budget doesn't include increased spending for fracking regulation because DEC hasn't completed its environmental review and decided whether to end a 4 ½-year-old moratorium.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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