Join Catskill Mountainkeeper in Albany on January 23rd to Impact the Legislative Agenda on Fracking
The public hearing period run by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to get input for their revisions to the Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Study (SGEIS) on fracking is almost complete. The next step in the battle to prevent unsafe and unhealthy fracking in New York is to impact the legislative agenda.
Overwhelming momentum was generated from the SGEIS hearings as so many of you came forward to testify with great emotion, logic, facts and conviction about the threats of fracking. Crowds had to be turned away because the hearing rooms were packed. The result was increased positive media coverage, a re-commitment to action by those of us who are convinced of the dangers of fracking and an important opportunity to impact the undecided.
However, we can’t rely on the overwhelming public outpouring to impact the final SGEIS that the DEC is expected to publish by the end of this year. So far we know that the DEC has received 30,000 comments. This week’s New York Times article, "Drilling Critics Face a Divide Over the Goal of their Fight", (featuring our very own Wes Gillingham) pointed out that New York State DEC officials say that they do not know of any other issue that received has recieved anything over 1,000 comments. Catskill Mountainkeeper and a coalition of environmental groups submitted more than 500 pages of technical comments including analysis by experts in hydrology, toxicology, economics and other specialties. Click here for our joint press release.
Also this week, as reported in the Bloomberg News story entitled "Fracking Moratorium Urged as Doctors Call for Health Study"
Health Experts from around the country declared that a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing for natural gas in populated areas until the health effects are better understood was necessary to protect public health.
Even the Public Employees Federation (PEF) which represents 1774 members of the DEC’s professional, technical and scientific staff has called for a moratorium, saying in their DEC testimony, “There is NO FRACKING WAY we can presently, honestly and adequately add any new responsibility as labor-intensive as regulating, monitoring and inspection activities related to high volume hydraulic fracturing of natural gas.” We can also expect that the DEC’s deliberations will be strongly influenced by political pressure from a Governor who's focus has been on the overblown revenue he perceives fracking could create.
Our next step is to work with our elected officials to ban fracking in New York State. The first step is to make sure they are educated about all of its dangers.
That’s where you come in. Join us in Albany on January 23, 2012 for this year’s first 2012 Hydro-Fracking Day of Action. The day will start with a rally in the Legislative Office Building and will be followed by legislative visits.
Click here to sign up. Buses will be available from all parts of the state. We hope to bring thousands of people to Albany to show our government officials our strong opposition to fracking.
To let Governor Cuomo know that we don’t want fracking to ruin our health and our environment, join our “DON’T FRACK FRIDAYS” call campaign. Please call the Governor’s office, (518) 474-8390, EVERY Friday to let him know that you don’t want fracking in New York State.
Join the "A Million Fracking Letters" campaign and send letters to your government officials to let them know about your opposition to fracking in New York.
Forward this message to your friends, family and neighbors and ask them to forward it on. Get educated, especially about the health issues and threats.
Every day more and more information exposes why fracking is wrong for New York State – the latest being the threat of earthquakes associated with fracking as has been seen in Ohio, Oklahoma and elsewhere.
We are up against the biggest and richest industry industry on the planet. New York State has become the flashpoint for the entire nation. The gas and oil industry desparately does not want to see us succeed as it will negatively impact them nationwide. So they are throwing their enormous resources behind this battle. Help us sustain the fight by providing your financial assistance. Please give as generously as you can.
845.482.5400
About Catskill Mountainkeeper
Catskill Mountainkeeper is an independent, not for profit, 501c3 community based environmental advocacy organization, dedicated to creating a flourishing sustainable economy in the Catskills and preserving and protecting the area's long term health. We address issues of water integrity for the Delaware and Susquehanna River Systems, the defense of the vast woodlands that encompass the Catskill Forest Preserve and the New York City Watershed as well as farmland protection. We promote "smart" development that balances the economic needs and concerns of the Catskill regions' citizens and the protection of our abundant but exceedingly vulnerable natural resources.
