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Recent polls have shown New Yorkers roughly split on the issue of hydrofracking, but that didn’t seem to be the case Wednesday, when opponents came out for a rally and then packed a public hearing to give state regulators an earful.

"No fracking way! No fracking way!" protesters chanted.

The Department of Environmental Conservation held the hearing to gather public comment as it develops rules and regulations to govern hydrofracking, which is a process of extracting natural gas by blasting water and chemicals into rock deep belowground.

Hydrofracking would be off-limits in areas that supply drinking water to New York City, but that hasn't quieted critics who say the process can't be made safe and should be banned outright.

The cause has attracted celebrity activists like actors Mark Ruffalo and Debra Winger, not to mention legions of elected officials with a message aimed squarely at Governor Andrew Cuomo.

"We have to be literally insane to even contemplate this practice," said State Senator Tony Avella.

The few supporters that testified were nearly drowned out, but they argue that hydrofracking would bring desperately needed jobs upstate—as many as 53,000 by the state's count—and say the process is safe. They add that any risks can be mitigated with smart regulation.

"It’s all based on speculation. There is not a single instance in the United States of hydraulic fracturing polluting the water supply,” said Tom Shepstone, campaign director of Energy In Depth.

Also on Wednesday, the state announced it was extending the public comment period on this issue until January 11, which came as welcome news for opponents of hydrofracking.

Still, barring an abrupt change of heart by Cuomo, it's expected the DEC will move to finalize regulations and could begin issuing permits for hydrofracking sometime next year.