NYSERDA Funds Natural Gas Exploration in Steuben
County; Ardent Resources, Inc. of Williamsville
to Improve Mapping and Modeling
RELEASE: IMMEDIATE, July 25, 2001
CONTACT: Tom Collins, NYSERDA
(518) 862-1090, ext. 3250
Albany, NY – The New York State Energy Research and Development
Authority (NYSERDA) recently funded a contract to demonstrate a mapping
technique to identify underground natural gas reefs. NYSERDA awarded
Ardent Resources, Inc. of Williamsville $100,000 for this effort.
The project will be conducted in several areas of Steuben County where
these reefs occur, and is expected to produce information leading
to the development of new natural gas wells.
In addition to mapping and exploring, Ardent will negotiate leasing
for prospects and test drill at least one site. This project will
help to advance surface exploration techniques as a means of finding
gas deposits more efficiently, cheaply and in a more environmentally
responsible manner than traditional drilling tactics.
"Identifying new natural gas resources in Western New York
helps reduce our dependence on imported energy and creates economic
development opportunities for the region," said NYSERDA President
William M. Flynn. "Our past efforts have resulted in 15 new
gas wells throughout the State that are supporting jobs and providing
additional revenues for landowners."
NYSERDA is a public benefit authority that seeks to improve the
State's energy efficiency, while safeguarding the environment. It
is also the administrator of the New York Energy $martSM programs,
which are designed to lower electricity costs by encouraging energy
efficiency as the State's electric utilities move to competition.
The programs are available to all electric distribution customers
(residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial) of Central
Hudson, Con Edison, NYSEG, Niagara Mohawk, Orange and Rockland, and
Rochester Gas and Electric.
All New York Energy $martSM programs
are funded by a System Benefits Charge (SBC) paid by electric distribution
customers of participating utilities. NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation
established by law in 1975, administers SBC funds and programs under
an agreement with the Public Service Commission.
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