Greetings:
I trust that you are enjoying another lovely New York springtime without shale fracking.
I have not been in contact for a while. Thanks to all the Fractivists who inquired about my health and well-being during the lull. I am grateful for your concern.
Fear not. All is well. Much has been going on behind the scenes in preparation for the months ahead.
I write today because Andrew Cuomo recently accepted his Democratic Party's gubernatorial nomination. As a result, his reelection campaign has kicked into high gear.
We have our work cut out for us between now and election day if we want to extend New York's shale fracking moratorium for years to come.
Election Campaign Strategy: Require Governor Cuomo to Halt the DOH "Review," Conduct a "Public Health Impact Study" and Restart the SGEIS
From now until November 4th, we must use every opportunity to bring unrelenting pressure to bear on Governor Cuomo to halt his DOH "review," conduct a shale fracking "Public Health Impact Study" and start the SGEIS proceeding over.
If Governor Cuomo is reelected, he, and he alone, would have authority to decide whether to permit shale fracking in New York. We must crank up the heat to get those deals done while he desperately wants our votes.
New York's Unprecedented Shale Fracking Moratorium Remains Rock-Solid After Nearly Six Years
It is critical to understand why not one shale gas production well has ever been fracked in New York. In 2008, our state imposed a de facto moratorium on shale gas fracking pending adoption of public health and environmental safeguards pursuant to a Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (SGEIS) proceeding.
Since November 2009, we have played a key role in extending that moratorium by preventing adoption of an inadequate Final SGEIS. It is hard to believe, but we have systematically thwarted adoption of the 2009 Draft SGEIS, the 2011 Revised Draft SGEIS and the 2012 Final Draft SGEIS.
As a result, we are on the verge of celebrating the SIXTH ANNIVERSARY of New York's shale fracking moratorium with no end in sight. That was inconceivable when this campaign began.
Fruits of Research, Advocacy, Media Outreach, Organizing and Coalition Building
Year after year, we have repeatedly documented the Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) gas and oil regulatory failures using the agency's own data. As a result, we have generated massive press coverage of the agency's indisputable shortcomings.
Our highly coordinated policy advocacy and grassroots organizing campaign has built a formidable political coalition for the purpose of preventing adoption of a fatally flawed SGEIS. As a result, we have stopped two successive Governors dead in their tracks from completing the SGEIS proceeding.
That is the reason, and the only reason, why shale fracking is still not permitted anywhere in New York. No other state has done what we managed to accomplish. Thanks for all your dedicated and able assistance.
Shale Fracking Expands Across USA
In stark contrast, shale fracking has already spread from coast-to-coast and from Canada to Mexico to more than half the states in the nation, including PA, OH, KY, TN, WV, GA, ND, SD, CO, CA, MT, WY, TX, OK, AR, LA, AL, MI, MO, IL, MI, AZ, NV and UT.
According to the U. S. Energy Information Agency, the USA is now the largest natural gas and oil producer in the world thanks to shale fracking: http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=13251
For example, more than 6,300 shale gas wells have been fracked in Pennsylvania. You will recall that in 2008 improper dumping of gas extraction wastewater caused massive pollution of the Monongahela River near Pittsburgh. That resulted in the biggest drinking water crisis in US history when more than 850,000 residents could not drink public water.
Two Critical Lines of Shale Fracking Defense
Against that background, the goal of this campaign is to continue to safeguard New York from shale fracking. In order to achieve that goal, we have established two critical lines of defense.
Our first line of defense is to continue to make sure that an inadequate Final SGEIS is not adopted.
Our second critical line of defense is to make sure that the infamous DOH "health impact analysis" "review" conducted in secret without any public participation is halted. We have prevented that proceeding from being completed for 18 grueling months.
Major Blow to DOH "Review" as Health Commissioner Nirav R. Shah Quits
It is essential to understand that no Final SGEIS can be adopted until after the DOH "review" is finished.
That is why I am immensely pleased to report that State Health Commissioner, Dr. Nirav R. Shah, resigned from office on April 10, 2014. That was very likely due, at least in part, to the intense, sustained pressure that we focused on his secret DOH "review."
This is a stupendous accomplishment which demonstrates the power of our focused efforts. It will be much harder for the DOH "review" to be completed now that Dr. Shah has checked out. This development bodes well as the Governor ramps up his reelection campaign.
See an impressive summary of the DOH "review" campaign: http://www.toxicstargeting.com/MarcellusShale/2014/06/03/DOH-Review-Camp...
Killing the DOH "Review" is Our Top Priority
Unfortunately, unless we require Governor Cuomo to halt his DOH "review," it can be completed any time he sees fit. Ten days later a Final SGEIS could be adopted. Unless a legal challenge results in a "stay" while the matter is decided in court, shale fracking permits could be granted without further delay. There is no assurance that a "stay" would be granted.
That is why killing the DOH "review" is our top priority. Extending New York's shale fracking moratorium beyond election day could depend on achieving that goal. Everything else is secondary.
Overarching Goals
Halting the DOH "review" and requiring a shale fracking "Public Health Impact Study" to be conducted would delay shale gas extraction in New York for many years to come.
We are also pushing for strict clean up liability, private legal right of action, financial surety and elimination of regulatory exemptions for gas extraction wastewater dumping. If those requirements can be imposed, shale fracking might never occur in our state and could be replicated wherever the practice is underway or proposed.
Watch Two Videos That Spell Out What You Can Do to Extend New York's Shale Fracking Moratorium
Halt the DOH "review:" http://www.toxicstargeting.com/MarcellusShale/videos/2013/08/23/walter-h...
Bird-dog Governor Cuomo: http://www.toxicstargeting.com/MarcellusShale/videos/ithaca_rally
Call, Email and Bird-Dog Governor Cuomo at Every Opportunity Between Now and Election Day:
Each and every person involved with this campaign can make a critical contribution. Take respectful, thoughtful action to request that Governor Cuomo:
1) Halt the DOH shale fracking "review" because it lacks public participation;
2) Undertake a comprehensive "Public Health Impact Study" openly and transparently with formal public participation to resolve shale fracking health concerns once and for all; and
3) Withdraw the Draft SGEIS which has received scathing criticism, notably from the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Emphasize that you are a registered voter (if true) who is extremely concerned about Marcellus Shale fracking hazards.
Express outrage that Governor Cuomo proposes to base New York's most important environmental decision on a secret DOH "review" that lacks any public participation whatsoever.
Underscore that preventing shale fracking public health hazards is a top priority for you and that you will "remember in November" when it comes time to cast your ballot.
Governor Cuomo's Contact Info
Email Governor Cuomo: http://www.governor.ny.gov/contact/GovernorContactForm.php
Call the Governor:
Albany: 518-474-8390
New York City: 212-681-4580
Binghamton: 607-721-8367
Tweet the Governor: @NYGovCuomo
Facebook him: https://www.facebook.com/GovernorAndrewCuomo?sk=wall
More very important info shortly. Onward and upward. Steady as she goes.
Best regards,
Walter
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