NORWICH – The fate of hydraulic fracturing for natural gas deposits in New York’s Marcellus and Utica shales has been in the hands of the state’s legislature this week and a decision could come as early as today.

A bill, proposed by Sen. Antoine Thompson, D-Buffalo, would place an immediate, one-year moratorium on new natural gas drilling permits until at least June 1, 2011.

The legislation follows an accident at a natural gas well in Pennsylvania on June 3 where unexpectedly high pressure spewed natural gas and drilling fluids out of control. Yesterday, a regulatory board in Pennsylvania approved stricter regulations on drilling in order to safeguard rivers and household water from polluted wastewater. Environmental officials say too much of the pollutants can kill fish and leave a salty taste in drinking water drawn from rivers.

New York’s bill, one of several similar bills addressing the controversial drilling method, was unexpectedly passed by the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee after 5 p.m. on Monday.

An immediate rallying plea from the leadership of the Central New York Landowners Coalition swept through its membership through the week, urging e-mails and phone calls that might sway representatives to oppose the Thompson bill. The measure would mostly affect the Southern Tier of New York where the Marcellus has been targeted by energy corporations.

“The DEC knows the science of drilling – not the politicians! If we want to lease our lands, we need to continue to fight for this. New York and New Yorkers need this industry now! Therefore the importance of communicating to your legislators immediately cannot be over emphasized. All members need to become politically active...,” wrote CNYC President Brian Conover. Conover replaced Richard Lasky who retired this month after leading CNYC from its inception nearly two years ago. The group is the largest landowners’ coalition in the state