The Cuomo administration has put off a decision on the drilling practice of high-volume hydraulic fracturing, also known as hydrofracking, as it awaits the results of a health-department review, and its uncertainty over the matter appears to reflect statewide sentiment.

WSJ: Backing For Cuomo Declines Upstate

In a statement to the BBC, Exxon Mobil said that before drilling offshore "it is standard industry practice to conduct extensive studies at and below the seabed" to check for hazards, using tools including remote sonar and a magnetometer.

BBC: Russia explores old nuclear waste dumps in Arctic