[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Chris Gibson[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="96"] Sean Eldridge[/caption]

Ariel Zangla is reporting in the Daily Freeman U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson said any decision on hydraulic fracturing will be made on the state level, not the federal, while his Democratic challenger, Sean Eldridge, said he opposes the natural gas drilling method, also known as fracking. The two candidates for New York’s 19th Congressional District seat spoke Wed., Oct. 1 during a forum on sustainability held at SUNY New Paltz. The forum was hosted by the New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund and the Center for Research, Regional Engagement and Outreach at the college. Each of the candidates spoke separately and answered a number of questions from the panelists and audience on such topics as hydraulic fracturing, the Keystone Pipeline, New York City’s watershed, land conservation and climate change. Eldridge said his opposition to fracking is based on concerns for the impact it could have on climate. He also said he believes the country should be moving more toward renewable energy. Gibson argued the best way to effect change on the fracking issue would be to pursue elected office at the state level, adding that he has always supported home rule. Gibson also said he believes the nation is under-investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy. Election Day is Nov. 4. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.