The Department of Environment Conservation has extended comments on hydrofracking until January 11, 2012
On November 30, 2011, the DEC announced its decision to extend the comment period for another 30 days, until January 11, 2012. This comes in response to numerous requests by environmental groups and others to have more time to review the 1,500 page Draft SGEIS, first released in September 2011.
Visit our new site: StopDrillingGoClean.org to read on the issue and make direct comments to the DEC.
News in November 2011
Hydrofracking Comments to Dept. of Environmental Conservation DUE DECEMBER 12, 2011
If you’re concerned about the potential serious life and health effects of hydrofracking and horizontal drilling for natural gas, then it is critical to contact the DEC concerning their proposed Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (SGEIS). Public comments will be accepted through the close of business on December 12, 2011 by one of only two methods. See our Take Action Page to submit comments online now.
In the Local Press:
Three articles written by our members recently made the editorial pages of The Buffalo News, all on concerns for hydrofracking and the upcoming DEC deadline for comments on the SGEIS.
- “Review of EIS shows that fracking remains dangerous” by Larry Beahan. The Buffalo News, Another Voice. November 3, 2011. Click here for a PDF of the article.
- “Land grab sets up taxpayers for fracking fallout” by Elisabeth N. Radow. The Buffalo News, Another Voice. November 1, 2011. Click here for a PDF of the article
- “Hydrofracking endangers our health, drinking water” by Robert Ciesielski. The Buffalo News, Another Voice. October 31, 2011. Click here for a PDF of the article.
In the National Press:
- Hydrofracking in Penn.: “Oil Executive: Military Style ‘Psy Ops’ Experience Applied”, by Eamon Javers, Nov. 8, 2011. CNBC News
- “Think Tank says gas fracking jeopardizes greenhouse gas goals” Nov. 9, 2011. CBC News.
- Alternative energy v. Fracking “Here Comes the Sun” by Paul Krugman, Nov. 6, 2011. NY Times.News in July 2011
- The New York State legislature and Governor Cuomo enact a moratorium on hydrofracking in the New York City and Syracuse watersheds. The rest of New York is open and vulnerable to this practice. Please sign a petition to Governor Cuomo and DEC Commissioner Joseph Martens to consider the impacts of fracking chemicals, hazardous air emissions and drilling waste for the entire state of New York.
- Our own NY State Assembly passed a one year moratorium on hydrofracking in early June 2011, by a vote of 91 to 46. The bill was never moved to the floor in the Senate. Please contact your State Senator and ask that the bill be put up for vote on the Senate floor.Please also contact Senator George Maziarz (R), chair of the NYS State Energy Committee, and Senator Mark Grisanti (R),chair of the Senate Environmental Committee, and ask them both to introduce a moratorium bill on hydrofracking and horizontal drilling.
- The City of Auburn in Central New York bans the acceptance of fracking wastewater from natural gas drilling companies into municipal waste treatment facilities.
- NJ State law makers pass a bill to ban hydrofracking in their state.The bill awaits the signature of NJ Governor Chris Christie.
- A new study by the US Forestry Service found that wastewater from natural gas hydrofracturing in a West Virginia national forest quickly wiped out all ground plants, killed more than half of the trees and caused radical changes in soil chemistry. These results argue for much tighter control over disposal of these “fracking fluids.”“Fracking Fluids Poison a National Forest: New Study Details Changes in Soil Chemistry and Devastation of Trees and Plants”
News in June 2011:
On June 6, 2011 the New York State Assembly voted to extend the moratorium on hydrofracking for natural gas for one-year period until June 1, 2012. The approval vote of 91 to 46 was meant to ensure that the industrial practice could be further studied in New York State. At this time the State Senate has not considered a similar measure. - Take Action on this issue now, by urging your Senator to Act on a bill to extend the Moratorium on hydrofracking, which expires next month, July 2011. Click the link here: http://action.sierraclub.org/site/Advocacy?s_oo=qgRJabSbqV7bNGLVpsB-aA..&id=6537News in April 2011:
- Pennsylvania wastewater treatment plants find bromides from hydrofracking fluid combines with chlorine treatment and creates carcinogens in the water. Where will the fracking wastewater go now?
April 19, 2011: Associated Press, Marc Levy “Pa. wants to cut off gas-drilling waste water” - Researchers have found that methane from natural gas is leaking in higher quantities than previously thought.
April 12, 2011: New York Times “Studies Say Natural Gas Has Its Own Environmental Problems” - A soon to be released study by Cornell University professors finds that natural gas produced with a drilling method called “hydraulic fracturing” contributes to global warming as much as coal, or even more. Read an article on the study and controversy in Washington. View short presentationby Cornell Professors on Marcellus Shale Gas and Global Warming.News in March 2011:
Hydrofracking in PA (NYTimes)
Hydrofracking takes center stage in NY and NationallyRecent coverage on the practice of hydrofracking in the New York Times and the Oscar-nominated film Gasland has revamped state and national attention on the issue. New York State’s moratorium on hydrofracking is due to expire in July 2011. You can take action now and sign a petition to Governor Cuomo to voice your concerns.
The New York Times investigative series on hydrofracking practices found that:
- Due to strong political pressure, the EPA suppressed reports that concluded New York and Pennsylvania’s sewage treatment facilities were incapable of treating drilling wastes– including levels of radioactivity 100 to 1000 times higher than drinking water safety standards.
- Drinking water intake plants downstream from those sewage treatment plants were shielded from having to test for radioactivity– leaving grave concerns about the current safety of our drinking water.
- EPA dropped plans to investigate radioactivity in its current federal study of hydrofracking wastes after receiving pressure from state regulators and the gas industry. (As quoted from the Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter)Read the New York Timesinvestigative series:Feb 27, 2011: “Regulation Lax as Gas Wells’ Tainted Waters Hit Rivers”
March 1, 2011: “Gas Drillers Recycle Wastewater, but Risks Remain”
March 3, 2011: “E.P.A. Struggles to Regulate Natural Gas Industry”
March 7, 2011: “E.P.A. Calls for More Testing of Pennsylvania Rivers”Back to the Main Hydrofracking Page
