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Anti-fracking advocates protest at BU
VESTAL, N.Y. -- Governor Andrew Cuomo wasn't in Broome County to talk about hydrofracking on Thursday. Still, anti-fracking protesters made sure the issue was prominent during his visit.
"We're here to send a strong message, that we don't want fracking in our home. He is in the midst of a completely opaque process that would allow fracking to happen and we are not ok with that," said protester Isaac Silberman-Gorn.
Dozens of anti-fracking protesters from across the Southern Tier showed up to the Binghamton University campus. Many brought signs and led chants for the governor to hear. They say when they found out the Governor was coming to town, they sent out alerts and rallied everyone together so they could express their concerns to him face to face.
"More than three years ago, we promised that we would bird-dog him on shale fracking in every community where he showed his face. And that's why we are here today," said Toxics Targeting President Walter Hang.
"This entire process is on the Governor's shoulders. He is the decision maker. He could end this tomorrow if he wanted to. So it's actually really gratifying to be able to pressure him more directly than we have been with the phone calls and letters and door knocking that we've been doing," said Silberman-Gorn.
Governor Cuomo did not interact with the protesters, but said they have a right to express their opinion.
Cuomo said, "There are protestors on fracking on both sides of the issue. You have a lot of emotion on fracking. You have a lot of people that support it. You have a lot of people who oppose it. You have people who say it's going to be the greatest thing in the world. You have people who think it's going to end the world. I've never seen a more polarized issue than this. That they want to express their opinion, great, that's what this country is all about."
The governor reiterated that the ultimate decision on fracking will come down to science and not emotion. He says the state's decision will follow the advice of the DEC Commissioner and the state Health Commissioner.
Meanwhile, anti-fracking advocates weren't the only ones hoping to have their voices heard on Thursday. The Joint Landowners Coalition of New York hosted an educational forum in Albany for policy makers and business leaders. The goal of the seminar was to address concerns and questions about natural gas development.
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Cuomo: Decision On Fracking By 2014 Election
Too soon or not soon enough? Governor Andrew Cuomo says he'll have his decision on fracking by the 2014 election.
Written reports say the Democratic Governors been waiting for State Health Commisioner, Dr. Nirav Shah's health review before making any decision on hydraulic fracturing.
Cuomo says the review should be completed in a few weeks. Anti-frackers say that review is invalid. Fracking supporters say 2014 is too far away.
"Don't let Dr. Shah finish the review who conducted it in secret without any public input. If you want to address the concerns that have been raised in good faith by elected officials in the Southern Tier and by concerned citizens, conduct a public health study," said President of Toxics Targeting Walter Hang.
"I think we've waited long enough. The facts are in. They've been in. We've recently walked with two of the memorial hospitals down in Pennsylvania. They don't have any health problems. They haven't see any health problems. These are two of the counties with the heaviest drilling going on. it's time for the governor to get this finished and get it moving," said President of the Joint Landowners Coalition Dan Fitzsimmons.
A decision on fracking has been on hold while the Department of Environmental Protection conducted its impact study.
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Fracking opponents send letters to Governor Cuomo
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- Anti-fracking advocates in the Southern Tier made another push for a public health impact study.
More than one thousand individual letters have been sent to Governor Andrew Cuomo in the past ten days.
Senders used an email program developed by Toxics Targeting. The letters request a public health impact study be done that includes review and comment from the community.
Advocates claim the Department of Health review currently underway is not meeting its mandated goals.
Fracking opponents say they believe their continued efforts are making an impact.
"I believe that the coalition letters that Mayor Ryan and I and Doctor Perkus and literally tens of thousands of New Yorkers have written in the last three-and-a-half years are the main reason why there is still not a single frack shale well in New York State," said Walter Hang of Toxics Targeting.
At the same time, landowners and fracking supporters continue to express their frustrations over the continued delays.
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Fractivist Letters
A longtime anti-fracking activist is ratcheting up his letter writing campaign to Governor Cuomo with a new on-line message.
Walter Hang of Toxics Targeting in Ithaca held a news conference outside Governmental Plaza in Binghamton today to announce some early success. Hang says that over the past 10 days, 1,000 people have customized a form letter that he's made available on his website. Those letters are then e-mailed to Cuomo, his local representative, and the Commissioners of Health and Environmental Conservation. As with previous pleas, Hang and his allies urge the state to scrap its current draft environmental regulations and conduct a more thorough study of any potential health risks associated with fracking.
Hang says he thinks public pressure has played a role in delaying a final decision on hydraulic fracturing. "I believe that the coalition letters that Mayor Ryan and I and Dr. Perkus and literally tens of thousands of other New Yorkers have written in the last 3 and a half years are the main reason why there is still not a single fracked shale well in New York State."
Last week, a mid-level appeals court upheld a ruling that municipalities have the right to ban fracking. However, Hang says the anti-fracking movement should not focus exclusively on so-called home rule battles. He says the state regulatory process is the best way to protect the health and safety of New Yorkers. You can find Hang's form e-mail at toxicstargeting.com.
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