Phase I Environmental Database Services

ALBANY - Opponents of natural gas drilling in the Southern Tier's Marcellus Shale formation today are cheering the state Senate's approval of a short-term moratorium late Tuesday night.

The measure sailed through the Senate, 48-9. If approved by the Assembly and Gov. David Paterson, permits to drill for natural gas in the formation would be delayed until May 15, 2011.

Now focus turns to the Assembly, where supporters of the drilling moratorium believe it could be taken up soon.

An environmental researcher claims toxic waste generated by General Electric Co. plants continues to seep into the Hudson River at a rate that could cause serious setbacks to the area's environmental cleanup projects.

State officials disputed the claims made by Walter Hang, president of the Ithaca-based Toxics Targeting Inc., who has inventoried toxic dump sites around the state. The officials say Hang's assertions contain mischaracterized facts and conclusions.