Adoption of local pro-fracking resolutions opposed in all five Fracking Demo Project counties and total of 33 municipalities

Greetings,

I write to thank all the activists who wrote to request that their local government officials "adopt no resolutions or public policies at this time supporting Marcellus Shale gas extraction." Those letters have been sent to all five county legislatures in the reported Fracking Demonstration Project area and a total of 33 municipalities. Great work. Pour it on.

Multiple favorable replies have been received:

Mr. P___ – Thank you for this information which I have forwarded on to the Town Board and our attorney. At this time the Board is not voting on any resolutions or moratoriums regarding fracking. We are collecting as much information as we can from residents, the DEC and the State and waiting for their recommendations. Hal

I wrote to tell Governor Cuomo the good news. See: http://toxicstargeting.com/MarcellusShale/documents/letters/2012/07/18/c...

It is worth noting that you are among more than 25,000 signatories to two key coalition letters who have supported the principle of "equal protection" from shale gas fracking hazards for all New Yorkers.

The Joint Landowners Coalition of New York has two competing coalition letters supporting "...developing the natural gas reserves that underlie New York State in the Marcellus Shale formation immediately." and "...exploring for clean-burning natural gas."

I was shocked to learn that those letters only have a total of only 221 and 155 signatories, respectfully. Can you believe that? JLCNY's grassroots citizen support is virtually non-existent. See: http://www.jlcny.org/site/index.php/tool-box/petitions

When I originally circulated my form letter, many activists wrote me to say that I had missed the boat:

"I am sorry to say that the towns of Wheeler (where I live) and Bath, both in Steuben County, have signed the resolutions supporting fracking."

and

"Well, you can let Walter know that the town of wheeler in Steuben passed a pro fracking resolution already (over the objections of dozens of landowners/residents). It specifically said they would not allow a ban nor a moratorium to be passed. So, this boat has sailed. Thanks for thinking of us anyway."

This is not true. Dan Fitzsimmons, president of the JLCNY, was quoted in a 7/10/12 article in the Binghamton Press and Sun Bulletin about the JLCNY resolution passed by various municipalities:

"The resolution reflects a 'neutral' stance toward drilling (emphasis added)... and merely states that the town is accepting DEC's leadership over the issue."

There you have it straight from the proverbial horse's mouth. The JLCNY resolution is not pro-fracking. See: http://www.pressconnects.com/article/20120710/NEWS01/207100393/Broome-to...

As you know, The New York Times reported on 6/13/12 that: "Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's administration was pursuing a plan to limit fracking to portions of several struggling upstate New York counties along the border with Pennsylvania, and to permit it only in communities that express support for the technology (emphasis added)."

See: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/14/nyregion/hydrofracking-under-cuomo-pla...

IT IS NOW PLAIN THAT NO LOCAL RESOLUTIONS HAVE BEEN ADOPTED ANYWHERE IN THE REPORTED FIVE-COUNTY DEMONSTRATION PROJECT AREA SPECIFICALLY DECLARING THAT A VILLAGE, TOWN OR CITY WANTS SHALE GAS FRACKING TO BE PERMITTED IN THAT LOCALITY PER SE.

I IMPLORE YOU TO TAKE ACTION IMMEDIATELY TO FORESTALL ANY SUCH PRO-FRACKING RESOLUTIONS FROM BEING ADOPTED.

LOCAL RESIDENTS MUST SEND THE FORM LETTER BELOW TO EVERY MUNICIPALITY THAT IS NOT HIGHLIGHTED IN RED.

Hurry up. Leave no stones unturned. Anyone in the five demonstration project counties living outside the red towns is a sitting duck for frackers.

Thanks so much for your assistance.

Cheers,

Walter

Use Our Form Letter