CHEMUNG COUNTY, N.Y. -- The Chemung County Chamber of Commerce wants its members and others to help speed up natural gas drilling in the Southern Tier.

In a letter sent out Monday, leaders explain that a state moratorium on new drilling methods could cost Chemung County and the region billions of dollars. Developers are using horizontal drilling to tap the Marcellus Shale natural gas deposit. But because of the moratorium, they're skipping over the Southern Tier and drilling in the Northern Tier and other areas.

Chamber leaders are encouraging members to send letters asking the state to accelerate its environmental review and green light the new drilling methods.

The letter and information about the issue is available on the chamber's website at chemungchamber.org.