BUFFALO, N.Y. – WNED-AM 970’s Innovation Trail will host an “Innovation Conversation”  entitled “The Future of Fracking” on Wednesday, May 4 at 7 p.m. in the WNED studios, 140 Lower Terrace, Buffalo.

This community awareness event, free and open to the public, features a revealing conversation about the controversial practice of extracting natural gas through hydraulic fracturing (fracking).

While some hail fracking as an economic engine that could help secure an ample, inexpensive energy source, others are concerned about possible environmental hazards. Already occurring in several states, fracking is currently on hold in New York, pending the results of an environmental impact study.

Hosted by WNED-AM 970’s Innovation Trail reporter Daniel Robison, the event will feature expert panelists, including Martin Casstevens, director of Directed Energy, Sarah Eckel, legislative director at Citizens Campaign for the Environment and Michael Joy, oil and gas attorney for Biltekoff & Joy, LLP. Additional panelists may be added.

The program, including a live studio question and answer session with the panelists, will be taped live for future broadcast on WNED-AM 970. For more information, call (716) 845-7040.

Funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), the Innovation Trail is a collaboration of five upstate New York public media outlets: WNED (Buffalo), WXXI (Rochester), WRVO (Syracuse/Oswego), WSKG (Binghamton) and WMHT (Albany). The Innovation Trail provides in-depth reports about innovative technologies, businesses and policies that enhance the region’s economy. The reports for each region are available online at innovationtrail.org.