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First Posted: 1/11/2013

(AP) Supporters and opponents of the contentious gas drilling process called fracking have delivered tens of thousands of comments to New York state officials considering whether to allow it.

Led by Yoko Ono and her son Sean Lennon, opponents of hydraulic fracturing showed up in Albany on Friday with boxes containing what they said was 204,000 comments in opposition. The comments were gathered during an intense 30-day effort featuring online coaching and comment-writing workshops.

Industry representatives also are delivering comments to the Department of Environmental Conservation. They argue that proposed rules are so strict they’ll effectively prevent drilling in New York’s part of the lucrative Marcellus Shale formation.

A decision by the state is expected by the end of February.

Associated Press