Rep. Tom Reed (R-Corning) says New York state's hydrofracking ban could hurt national security and taxpayers could end up footing the bill.
According to Reed, hydrofracking in 36 other states has given the U.S. control of its energy supply.
"When we don't have to rely on the bad guys in the Middle East for our oil and energy supplies, that's a better world for Americans. And you see it right at the gas pumps day in and day out," Reed said.
Reed says he is "frustrated" that it took Albany seven years to make a decision on fracking.
"I'm not a believer in a country that says, 'No we can't.' I'm a believer in an America that says, 'Yes we can.' What we should be doing is identifying the problem [and] solving the problem. That's leadership," Reed said.
He also does not want land owners punished if the state follows through next year as planned.
"If you're going to take people's property, like this ban represents, of taking their property rights with their natural gas rights now off the table. It's only right and fair that we compensate them for that," Reed said.
