Recommendations for New York's Commission to Study Fracking

New York to continue studying fracking according to Bloomberg.

New York’s study of potential links between hydraulic fracturing and earthquakes may be tainted by the selection of a university geologist and gas-industry consultant to lead the review, drilling critics said.

Robert Jacobi was picked by the Department of Environmental Conservation for a seismology study as part of its environmental review of the drilling process known as fracking, Lisa King, an agency spokeswoman, said in an e-mail. Jacobi is a University at Buffalo professor and has advised drillers for two decades.

Jacobi, who has taught at the state university for more than 30 years, has advised various gas drillers since 1994, according to a resume released by the university. He has been a senior geology adviser for Pittsburgh-based EQT Corp., a natural gas drilling company, since last year.

Yes, the governor should have selected a banker to lead the study, and put ten lawyers on the 13-member commission. The other two slots could have gone to community organizers for Occupy Wall Street.