 ASSEMBLYMEMBER LINDA B. ROSENTHAL OPPOSES LIFTING MORATORIUM ON HYDROFRACKING; CALLS PLANS TO OPEN ANY PART OF STATE TO FRACKING PREMATURE
Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF, Manhattan) expressed grave concern over plans by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to lift the moratorium on hydraulic fracturing, more commonly known as hydrofracking, in place since 2008.
"There are still way too many unknowns when it comes to hydrofracking. The DEC's proposal protects only the New York City and Syracuse watersheds, leaving other areas vulnerable, and 85% of the Marcellus Shale open to drilling. Unless and until we can be sure that the process will not cause irreparable harm to the health and safety of New Yorkers and their water supply, the moratorium should not be lifted. The DEC should wait until the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has completed its own study on the safety of the process to decide whether to proceed," said Assemblymember Rosenthal.
In addition, the Assemblymember, an outspoken opponent of hydrofracking, called upon the DEC to extend the 60-day comment period, which begins in August 2011, to 120 days, and to schedule a series of public hearings in key locations across the state that will be most affected by the agency's decision, including New York City. Given that the report is said to number 900 pages, the public needs and deserves more time to absorb it. As it now stands, the 60-day public comment period will begin on August 1, but the DEC is accepting written comments only. On an issue of this significance, the public has a right to be heard, and the government has a responsibility to listen.
"When you are talking about the health and safety of hundreds of thousands of New YorkState residents, great caution must be exercised; waiting several weeks or even a handful of months to ensure the absolute safety of the people in this state is not too much to ask for," she said.
The Preliminary Revised Draft SGEIS outlines the DEC's proposed recommendations regarding hydraulic fracturing, allowing the process to move forward with certain geographical limitations in place and some consideration of the socioeconomic impact of the practice on surrounding communities. In June 2011, the New York State Assembly voted to extend the moratorium on hydrofracking, originally put in place in 2008, until June 2012.
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Assemblymember Rosenthal represents the 67th Assembly district, which includes the Upper West Side of Manhattan and parts of Clinton/Hell's Kitchen. |
