BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (AP) - The state Department of Environmental Conservation is expected to release publicly Monday its draft plan for reviewing proposed natural gas drilling in the Southern Tier for environmental concerns.

Officials say the public review process is to consider what should be included in the review, not to debate the merits of drilling. The state has ceased issuing permits until after the review is completed.

Unlike vertical wells used to draw natural gas from other geological formations in the Southern Tier, drillers propose relying on new technology to drill horizontally through bedrock and fracture it with water and chemical additives.

The process, called hydro-fracturing, requires millions of gallons of water for each well and can produce similar amounts of waste.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.