1/11/2010
Greetings,
I am passing along four news items for your review. We continue to shine a very bright light on DEC's regulatory shortcomings, but have yet to persuade the Governor to withdraw the draft SGEIS.
Nevertheless, at least one giant gas firm is reportedly "shifting its focus to Pennsylvania because uncertainties in New York threatened to undermine its investments there."
Anyone who believed it would be easy to kill the draft SGEIS now knows what a long haul we are in for. Keep slugging. We are making progress each and every day.
First, is an Ithaca Journal article about a 1/7/10 fire at a drilling rig in Freeville, NY that resulted when a natural gas pocket was "hit." See also my letter to Commissioner Grannis regarding concerns that DEC systematically fails to investigate and clean up natural gas hazards.
http://toxicstargeting.com/MarcellusShale/documents/freeville_rig_fire
Second, is a 1/8/10 article from Cooperstown's The Freeman's Journal that reports Governor Paterson says DSGEIS Process Will Go Forward.
http://www.thefreemansjournal.com/2010/01/paterson-pleas-on-drilling.html
Third, is a similar article from the Times Herald-Record: "State ban on gas drilling unlikely; NY's officials oppose change in regulations."
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100111/NEWS/111...
Finally, see a 1/5/10 Reuters wire story regarding Fortuna gas company "shifting its focus to Pennsylvania because uncertainties in New York threatened to undermine its investments there." In addition, "Chesapeake accused critics of creating 'fear and panic' with misleading or incorrect information and concerns 'that have no basis in science or reality.'"
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0541938620100105?type=marketsNews
We need to keep cranking up the pressure on Governor Paterson and DEC. Pull out all the stops.
Best,
Walter
