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Group calls on Cuomo to close fracking loophole
(WBNG Binghamton) A local anti-fracking group has called on Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) to close a loophole that could make a form of fracking legal here in New York on Thursday.
The President of Toxics Targeting, Walter Hang has secured more than 700 signatures from people calling for the ban of "gelled propane" and liquified petroleum gas fracturing.
The D.E.C. failed to include these methods in the definition of high volume hydraulic fracturing last month. Which means they are not subject to review by the State Environmental Quality Act .
"The problem really with gelled propane and LPG fracking is that this material is incredible flammable and explosive,” Hang said. “Water is relatively benign, it can cause water pollution but at least it's not going to blow up in your face."
The letter sent to the governor called for him to ban "gelled propane" and LPG fracturing until further research is conducted about the impact they can have on the environment.
The Snyder Farm Group in Tioga County plans to frack using gelled propane.
Anti-Fracking Activists Call For Ban on Alternative Methods of Fracking
Two months after the Snyder Farm Group in Barton announced it is applying for a permit from the state to frack using an alternative method with gelled propane instead of water, an anti-fracking activist is calling on the governor to put a halt to that plan.
Walter Hang from the Environmental Database Company Toxics Targeting says the Department of Environmental Conservation recognizes what he calls the dangers of the method, but it is not included in the state's ban on fracking. That ban only prohibits high-volume hydraulic fracking using more than 300,000 gallons of water.
"We believe that there is a flaw in the definition of high-volume hydraulic fracking. That's why we're calling on the Governor one way or another to rectify this problem and to make sure gel propane is prohibited," said Hang.
Hang calls propane highly flammable and explosive. Proponents of the process call it a more environmentally friendly way to frack. The Cuomo Administration announced it's ban on high-volume hydrofracking last December.
Locals react to fracking ban
Binghamton (WIVT) - Members of the community who oppose fracking are rejoicing one day after New York State officially banned the practice of high-volume hydraulic fracturing.
A news conference was held outside Binghamton City Hall Tuesday afternoon.
Representatives from New York State Residents Against Drilling, or NYRAD, gathered to celebrate the prohibition of fracking in the State.
On Monday, the State's DEC released a final assessment concluding that there are no feasible alternatives to avoid or minimize environmental impacts of fracking.
President of Toxics Targeting Walter Hang said he couldn't believe the news.
"I was shocked, I was thrilled. I couldn't believe that it turned out so well. When I read the findings statement, it was like looking at all of the concerns that we originally raised," said Hang.
The Joint Landowners Coalition of New York, who are in favor of fracking, have released the following statement:
"Governor Cuomo has dealt a devastating blow to thousands of Upstate New Yorkers who had hoped to pull themselves up from economic despair. The Governor's Upstate New York policies have led to the largest out-migration of any state in the nation, causing Southern Tier residents to call for secession to Pennsylvania."
