since I work for a state agency that regulates mining & fracking, I have noted that when gas prices are low, companies put fracking on the back burner.... it cost $ to pay consultants to file for permits, etc.

What I fear is the price goes up, they get their permits and then price drops because of the glut on the market. That's when the bean counters come up with "cost saving" mandates that are short sighted and reflect poor judgement.

The first oil wells were in western NY... Wellsville... long before they went looking to the west. Western NY has thousands of small gas wells - many abandoned and not properly plugged. This is reflective of little or no regulation in the past. You need strong monitoring & enforcement to keep them honest and good neighbors. a big multi-national doesn't give a rat's pitutt about anything other than their corporate botton line. I've watched them for some thirty years... I kid you not.