As the nation's energy crisis brings an urgency to all kinds of power generation issues, much of upstate New York could be deeply affected by the desire of some companies to tap into a rich natural gas reserve below the land's surface.

Natural gas exploration companies are just starting to look into drilling into the parts of the Marcellus Shale Formation that sit within New York. For now, the focus seems to be mostly on the southern tier and Catskills region, but the formation also includes central New York.

But even if firms don't come in large numbers to this area, all New Yorkers should closely follow the issue of drilling for natural gas using a relatively new technology that allows for better returns.

The technique, called horizontal drilling, shoots fluid into the shale to release the trapped gas. It involves much deeper drilling, a significant amount of water being used and a fair amount of waste water needing to be disposed.

Companies say the technology is safe and effective, though some environmental groups have their doubts.

It's far too early, and the stakes are too high, to reject one side's arguments over the other.

On the one hand, the potential is enormous for economic benefit should the drilling bring the type of returns some expect. On the other hand, upstate can hardly afford to jeopardize some of its biggest assets - wetlands and waterways.

That's why we're pleased that the state Department of Environmental Conservation pledges to undertake a thorough review of horizontal drilling impacts over the next few months.

We urge them, however, to avoid being pressured into reaching any hasty conclusions.

The natural gas that's down there isn't going away.

Let's be sure we can access it in the safest, most responsible way possible.