Otsego 2000 strongly opposes DEC’s design for hydrofracking
Otsego 2000, a non-for-profit environmental organization in operation in Otsego County for nearly three decades, recenlty issued a statement arguing strongly against the draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement issued in late September by the DEC for horizontal natural gas extraction horizontal fracturing, or “fracking,’’ in the Marcellus Shale.
via Cooperstown Crier – Otsego 2000 strongly opposes DEC’s design for natural gas extraction.
Congressman Hinchey submits comments on hydrofracturing
New York’s 22nd District should be proud of their congressman, Maurice Hinchey. He’s got a clear handle on the issues, and has submitted a nice set of comments to the NY Department of Environmental Conservation on their evaluation of permitting needs for drilling in the Marcellus shale in NY.
His submittal is detailed at his House website here.
Politicians choose sides in Marcellus Shale drilling debate | pressconnects.com | Press & Sun-Bulletin
Elected officials taking a position on Marcellus Shale development are facing strident demands from stakeholders who could become rich, go broke or possibly abandon hope, depending on Albany’s response.
As a Dec. 31 public comment deadline approaches, the polarizing debate shows no sign of easing. Stakeholders continue to hold town hall meetings, sign petitions and write elected officials in an attempt to make or break the multibillion-dollar gas industry’s move to the Southern Tier.
“This is by far the most contentious issue that I’ve worked on since joining the state Assembly,” said Lupardo, a third-term Democrat from Endwell. “I’m compelled to do everything possible to protect our environment, while recognizing the enormous economic potential of the Marcellus. I’m trying to be a moderating voice in this process.”
Mantius calls out the elephant in the room: the DEC’s ability to enforce
As the New Year’s Eve deadline approaches for final comments on a proposed 800-page rulebook for natural gas drilling, state officials are ignoring the elephant in the room: The agency responsible for supervising the industry is woefully understaffed and ill-equipped to handle the job.
Tests show highly radioactive water in Marcellus Shale
An analysis of wastewater samples by the Department of Health found levels of radium-226, and related alpha and beta radiation that are up to 10,000 times higher than drinking water standards, according to a memo the agency sent to the Department of Environmental Conservation. That means the DEC will have to do more testing to identify drilling sites that pose radiation risks, and ensure hot drilling waste is handled and disposed of properly, according to records from the state.
via Tests show high concentration of radioactive waste in Marcellus | stargazette.com | Star-Gazette.
Farmers speak out about hydrofracking
With just a few weeks left for public comment on the NYS environmental impact statement for “horizontal drilling and high-volume hydraulic fracturing,” some farmers are speaking out against the method. The public comment period ends December 31.
via Ithaca’s Food Web: Farmers speak out about natural gas drilling via hydrofracking.
Hydrofracking Resolution No Easy Road
But there.s nothing wrong with going slowly. The hundreds of people who turned out at the DEC hearings on drilling and the polarized points of view expressed are proof enough that this is not a slam-dunk decision the state can afford to make. The economic, political and environment aspects of this issue are knotted together in such a way that state officials must be careful not to rush to judgment.
via Gas drilling resolution no easy road | stargazette.com | Star-Gazette.
Palin… err.. NY Post Says: Drill, Baby, Drill!
So let&’s give Paterson credit, then, that his team’s long-anticipated draft environmental review comes down on the side of natural-gas drilling in New York.
Unfunded Mandates and the Marcellus Shale
County legislators are struggling with budgets to make ends meet without the added unfunded mandate that county health departments be responsible for oversight of water testing. Governor Patterson’s Executive Order No. 17 issued April 27, 2009 stated that “no state agency shall recommend, propose, publish or submit any legislation or regulation containing a mandate without accounting of the impact of such mandate on local governments, which shall include the fiscal impacts of such mandate, a cost-benefit analysis, documentation of input sought and received from affected local governments, and proposed sources of revenue to fund such mandate”.
One solution, which is supported by some state lawmakers as well as some in the industry, would be to increase permit fees with the additional revenues going to regulating the industry. Other lawmakers, however, would prefer to see any additional revenues from drilling go into the general fund.
via Capital Business Blog » Blog Archive » Unfunded Mandates and the Marcellus Shale.
The (F)leased perspective on hydrofracturing
Why did we sign? Partly because natural gas is a relatively “clean” fuel, so obtaining it locally seemed reasonable. Partly because the way it was presented to us made it sound inevitable and benign. Partly because the money was appealing. The Music Man came to town, and I am astonished and ashamed that we succumbed to his tune.
We never would have signed if we had known then what we now know about the pollution potential and the possible transformation of peaceful residential and agricultural areas into industrial zones. I am sure that there are many other landowners who feel the same way. We have decided to use the money we received from the lease to try to stave off this potential disaster. A new organization called “(F)leased” is forming to represent people who signed leases and wish they hadn't.
via Put hold on drilling in state | theithacajournal.com | The Ithaca Journal.
Toxic Targeting petitions to extend hydrofracturing moratorium
“There are 15,000 existing wells (in New York state),” he said. “We have had these wells for decades and decades. There only about seven wells that go into the Marcellus formation. The state of New York has said literally for years that they have never even had a problem, but that turns out not to be true.”
He went on to cite examples of drinking water polluted beyond acceptable drinking standards, though the private and public wells it came from were placed farther than the required distance from natural gas wells.
“The bottom line is the government is not safeguarding your health and your safe environment, and this is the proof,” he said.
via Ithaca firm petitions to extend moratorium | theithacajournal.com | The Ithaca Journal.
Andy Patros, Chemung County Legislator’s comments on dSGEIS
… I strongly urge DEC to define what funding resources and measures local health departments can be assured will be in place to undertake the roles as outlined in Table 8.1.; prior to any horizontal hydrofrac drilling is to commence…
Another financial concern I have is where will funding come from to adequately staff DEC offices across the state for the expanded duties it must undertake with this new drilling activity?
Section 8.1.1.6 relative to Local Planning Documents troubles me, particularly the DSGEIS statement of “The Department’s exclusive authority to issue well permits supersedes local government authority relative to well sitting.”
Also, I am against the introduction of ANY drill site wastewater into a public wastewater treatment facility or plant.
Upstate New Yorkers Split by Leasing of Land for Natural Gas Wells – NYTimes.com
In New York City, natural gas exploration is largely seen as a threat to the drinking water the city gets from watersheds to the north in the Catskills. But in the rural communities above the shale, the reaction has been far more mixed — and far more contentious.
Some residents welcome the drilling as a modern-day gold rush and salvation from the economic doldrums that they say have chased jobs and young people away from their area. Others express concerns about the environment and quality-of-life issues like noise and heavy-truck traffic.
In some cases, the issue has pitted neighbor against neighbor or spouse against spouse.
via Upstate New Yorkers Split by Leasing of Land for Natural Gas Wells – NYTimes.com.
Fight intensifies in NY over natural gas drilling (audio)
A fight is well underway in New York State over whether to allow drilling permits for natural gas in the Marcellus shale, a horizontal bedrock strip that runs from West Virginia to New York. Gas companies say a rich source of natural gas exists in the shale, which could benefit New Yorkers, whom consume more than 1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas a year. But many are opposed to the drilling, which has caused environmental problems in other states.
via Fight intensifies in New York over natural gas drilling | FSRN.
Gov. Paterson and Walter Hang on WHCU (audio)
Gov. Paterson and Walter Hang on WHCU
These free podcasts from WHCU feature interviews with Governor David Paterson and Toxic Targeting president Walter Hang, on natural gas drilling in New York State.
Governor David Paterson–Nov 16, 2009
Gov. Paterson discusses the budget crisis, mid-year school state aid cuts, drilling regulations for the Marcellus Shale, and a gay marriage vote.
Hang: Gas Drilling & DEC–Nov 16, 2009
Toxic Targeting president Walter Hang says he wants the DEC to rescind its environmental impact statement.
via Shaleshock.org » Blog Archive » LISTEN: Gov. Paterson and Walter Hang on WHCU.
NY Senate Enviro Committee meets on Hydrofracking
The Senate Environmental Conservation Committee recently held a roundtable discussion regarding drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale. When announcing the roundtable, Chairman Antione Thompson stated that “we must sensibly examine the issues surrounding gas drilling in Marcellus Shale and the impact that it might have on New York’s economy and environment before making a determination”. Thompson prefers the roundtable format so that there can be an exchange of ideas and the possibility of reaching some common ground. He said that it is important that we protect water and the environment and also was anxious to hear the farmers’ perspective. He is concerned that landowners are not being taken advantage of by energy companies. Also present were Sen.Bill Perkins and Assembly members Steven Englebright, Donna Lupardo, and Aileen Gunther.
via: Capital Business Blog » Blog Archive » Marcellus Shale: Senate ….
Traditional Native Leaders: Hydrofracking must be banned
Haudenosaunee Environmental Task Force issues statement against proposed new method of gas drilling
“People are woefully uninformed about this process,” stated Lyons. “We believe that all people should be educated about potential impacts, consulted, consider the seventh generation to come, and be of a good mind together before any decision of this magnitude is made.”
Additionally, two major concerns were raised which are unique to the Indian Nations: (a) horizontal drilling under Indian territories will be a violation of treaty protected mineral rights; and (b) the current structure will not have any mechanism for the protection of cultural resources of the Nations: sacred sites, unmarked burial sites and former village and other archeological sites. These issues were raised with the DEC officials as well.
Stop Shale Gas Drilling Hazards Campaign
Come one, Come all: Toxics Targeting will propose a campaign to Stop Marcellus Shale Gas Drilling Hazards on:
Monday, 11/23/09
7:00 PM
The Women’s Community Building
100 West Seneca Street
Ithaca, NYKnown oil and gas drilling hazards in New York will be presented. A coalition letter campaign will be outlined to require Governor Paterson to withdraw the Department of Environmental Conservation’s fatally-flawed draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement on Gas and Oil Mining.
For more information, call:
607 273 3388
800 286 9427
Industry describes critics as “Gangs of New York”
Flush with falsehoods and hyperbole, anti-energy activists promise to “overwhelm the DEC” at NY Marcellus hearings this week
NY Senate hearing on gas drilling
Also at issue were the anticipated environmental impacts these drilling sites could have on state forests. Neil Woodworth, the executive director of the Adirondack Mountain Club, a conservation advocate, said he was concerned state forests would be opened up for drilling, because they have been damaged from this process in the past.
“The cutting of the forest was so extensive you could see it from Google Earth,” he said of one such site.
Thompson said he was particularly interested in hearing from some of the farmers in these areas because he believes they could agree to allow the drilling on their property to supplement their incomes.
He said he was concerned the drilling companies would come along and convince them by tempting them with profit.
Ithacans Voice Drilling Concerns
A public hearing concerning regulatory measures for horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing for the local Marcellus Shale natural gas resource was held at the State Theater in Ithaca last night, the topic of discussion: the draft of the Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (dSGEIS). While local Ithacans criticized both the proposed plan as well as the drilling in general, Department for Environmental Conservation (DEC), the government agency responsible for the draft, would only listen to critiques of the document itself.
Prior to the hearing, concerned citizens of the area held a rally in the commons petitioning Gov. Paterson (D-N.Y.) to prohibit horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing at least until the Environmental Protection Agency study on water contamination found both practices to be safe.
via Ithacans Voice Drilling Concerns | The Cornell Daily Sun.
Pro-fracking activist escalates language against drilling skeptics
Some know that in a media driven world, the truth is secondary to a message successfully delivered through the press. When Mr. Knowles delivered the remark below in an emphatic, authoritarian voice at the meeting, the response from whom he considers enemies showed their insult and disagreement. Mr. Knowles must know that environmentalists don’t agree with him. To suggest otherwise would insult his intelligence.
Maybe he also knows if he can divert discussion at a DEC meeting about regulations and hydrofracking to a discussion of the supposed motives and personality flaws of those opposed to hydrofracturing, he is framing the conflict as a neighbor versus neighbor, land coalitions versus enviros quagmire. Then the discussion of how our government can protect all citizens rights from the actions of the gas companies is dead.
Not all spoke against Marcellus drilling.
Ken Knowles Sr., of Woodhull, president of the Steuben Landowners Coalition, said his group hads 1,200 members with 150,000 acres.
“Our position is, if you are opposed to drilling, you are in favor of foreign oil,” a phrase he repeated several times during his speech to a smattering of boos and applause.
While the divisive words and poor arguments of some pro-fracking folk came across very poorly at the meeting no one should underestimate the long term corrosive effect this has on civic, democratic debate.
via Gas drilling concerns aired at DEC hearing – Corning, NY – The Corning Leader.
Tomkins County public meeting tonight on dSGEIS
The first is a rally, set for the Bernie Milton Pavilion on the Ithaca Commons from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Local and state legislators will take the microphone alongside several environmental experts and a few musical acts.
It will be followed at 7 p.m. by a public hearing at the State Theatre.
Doors will open at 6 p.m., and several ground rules have been set. Those wishing to speak will be expected to sign in, and will be called in the order registered. There will be a three-minute time limit on oral statements, which may be supplemented with written comments.
Hosted by the Tompkins County Council of Governments (TCCOG), the hearing is meant to be a forum in which to collect public comments on the draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (dSGEIS) — the state’s plan to regulate drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus shale underneath Tompkins County and surrounding regions.
via Events draw out gas-drilling views | stargazette.com | Star-Gazette.
Corning DEC mtng hears frustrated landowners and citzens
The DEC has already held three other hearings — in Sullivan County, in New York City and in the Binghamton area.
At issue is the safety hydro-fracturing or fracking, a process that involves pumping millions of gallons of water and other fluid deep into rock formations to tap into massive natural gas deposits.
Many people who turned out for the meeting carried signs with slogans such as “Don’t frack with our water,” “Drilling and profits make bad company” and “You can’t drink natural gas.”
via DEC hearing on drilling draws passionate response from both sides | stargazette.com | Star-Gazette.
A Petition against horizontal drilling; hydrofracturing in NY
Original found at: http://www.actionotsego.org/Petition.pdf and at:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/NY-Statewide-Ban-On-Natural-Gas-Drilling
To: Governor Paterson, DEC Commissioner Grannis, State Senate & State Assembly, DEC dSGEIS Comments
We the undersigned CALL FOR A BAN ON GAS DRILLING
IN LOW-PERMEABLE STONE DEPOSITS IN NEW YORK STATE
Whereas,
Ithaca meeting questions DEC’s competence
Environmental attorney Helen Slottje characterized the DEC as the parent every teenager wishes they had, one who suggests and encourages behavior and trusts that their child will do the right thing, without actually enforcing any rules or imposing time-outs.
She then gave a Cliffs Notes version of the report, noting that it was “more notable for what it does not contain than what it does contain.”
She said the state agency seemed to be making lots of “the dog ate my homework” excuses when it came to obtaining or requiring studies for things like chemical interactions within water pumped into and out of drilling sites, and that it did not even provide for updated locations of existing aquifers, floodplains, wells and watersheds.
Fight Over Shale Gas Drilling Not Over
James L. Simpson, a lawyer at the environmental group Riverkeeper, said the review fails to address critical issues linked to drilling, such as air emissions, increased traffic, or the so-called secondary impact from drilling, including all the ancillary services that would be needed for the industry to deploy throughout the state.
“We don’t think the Department of Environmental Conservation has the resources to review all the permits and supervise this process,” Mr. Simpson said. “The agency is cash-strapped and has been losing staff in recent years. Yet they intend to evaluate this on a permit-by-permit basis, so we can expect thousands of permits to flood the agency. We think they are not capable of processing these, let alone supervising or enforcing them.”
via Fight Over Shale Gas Drilling Not Over – Green Inc. Blog – NYTimes.com.
Sign the Letter Asking Paterson to nix the SGEIS
Click here to sign this coalition letter.
Honorable David A. Paterson
State Capital
Albany, NY 12224
Dear Governor Paterson:
We, the undersigned, strongly support safeguarding the environment, public health and natural resources of the Catskills, Finger Lakes and Southern Tier regions that overlay the Marcellus Shale formation, potentially the largest natural gas reservoir in America. That is why we write to request you to withdraw the draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement released on 9/30/09 by your Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).
New York Drilling Study won’t assess cumulative impacts
New York’s recently released review of the environmental risks [1] (PDF) posed by natural gas production in the Marcellus Shale offers the clearest picture yet of the chemicals used in the drilling process called hydraulic fracturing.
The document makes public the names of 260 chemicals, more than eight times as many as Pennsylvania state regulators have compiled. The list is the most complete released by any state or federal agency and could help answer concerns about hydraulic fracturing in Congress and in states where gas drilling has increased in recent years.
“The DEC’s shocking refusal to assess cumulative impacts undermines the validity of the entire study and if implemented will lead to devastating, unanticipated outcomes,” said Roger Downs, a conservation associate at the Sierra Club’s Atlantic Chapter, which has called for a ban on drilling in New York despite the Sierra Club’s general support for gas development in the United States.
15 Reasons Why DEC Draft SGEIS Needs To Be Rewritten
15 REASONS WHY THE DEC DRAFT SEGEIS REPORT (THE DRAFT) RELEASED ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 NEEDS TO BE REWRITTEN
1. THE COMMENT PERIOD IS TOO SHORT
2. THE DEC NEEDS TO SCHEDULE MORE HEARINGS
3. THE DRAFT NEEDS A CUMULATIVE IMPACT REQUIREMENT
4. THE DRAFT DOES NOT PROTECT OUR WATER – OUR MOST VALUABLE RESOURCE
5. GAS DRILLING SHOULD BE BANNED IN OUR PUBLIC WATERSHEDS
6. GAS DRILLING SHOULD BE BANNED IN THE CATSKILL PARK
7. THE RULES IN THE DRAFT ARE NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO PREVENT DRILLERS FROM DEPLETING LOCAL WATER SUPPLIES
8. A HEALTH IMPACT STUDY NEEDS TO BE ADDED TO THE DRAFT
9. THE DRAFT HAS INADEQUATE PLANS FOR WASTEWATER
10. THE DRAFT PUTS AN UNFAIR BURDEN ON LOCAL COMMUNITIES
11. THE DRAFT DOESN’T MAKE PROVISIONS FOR ADEQUATE STAFF TO MONITOR AND RESPOND TO ACCIDENTS
12. THE DRAFT SHOULD PROTECT AGAINST POSSIBLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST
13. THE DRAFT SHOULD STIPULATE THAT ALL ACCIDENTS RELATED TO GAS DRILLING NEED TO BE REGULATED
14. THE DRAFT NEEDS TO MAKE CLEAR WHO WILL BE LIABLE IF OUR WATER IS CONTAMINATED
15. THE DRAFT SHOULD REQUIRE THAT THE GAS COMPANIES ADHERE TO THE SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT
Letter Requesting Gov. Paterson to withdraw SGEIS
Click here to sign this coalition letter.
Honorable David A. Paterson
State Capital
Albany, NY 12224
Dear Governor Paterson:
We, the undersigned, strongly support safeguarding the environment, public health and natural resources of the Catskills, Finger Lakes and Southern Tier regions that overlay the Marcellus Shale formation, potentially the largest natural gas reservoir in America. That is why we write to request you to withdraw the draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement released on 9/30/09 by your Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).
Final DEC Hearing on the SGEIS, Wed., 11/17
Come make a presence at Corning this Wednesday! Make your comments, or just hold a banner!
CORNING EAST HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM
201 CANTIGNY ST.
CORNING, NY 14830 (Google map)
Doors open at 6pm
Hearing starts at 7pm
At the Shaleshock meeting this Tuesday (11/17, 6pm) we will have sign/banner making materials.
via Shaleshock.org » Blog Archive » COME MAKE A PRESENCE AT CORNING: The final DEC Hearing on the sGEIS.
Drilling Deep Into Controversy
For more than a year, a swelling movement of landowners, politicians, individuals and environmental organizations has been pressuring New York State to strongly regulate — or even ban — a natural gas drilling process that could wreak havoc on the environment.
Opposing them are big energy companies throwing around hundreds of millions of dollars to snap up land leases in the state so they can tap huge natural gas reserves thousands of feet underground.
At stake are freshwater sources for millions of people in Philadelphia, New York and the countryside, as well as watersheds that replenish environmental treasures from the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River to the Delaware River and Chesapeake Bay.
DEC hears impassioned debate in Chenango Bridge
There was a marked difference in loyalties, however. The New York City audience consisted mostly of people opposed to drilling under any circumstances. Thursday’s meeting was a show of force by members of well-organized landowner coalitions in the Southern Tier in favor of drilling.
Judging by the intensity of applause, they appeared to equal or exceed the number of those cheering for more oversight.
via DEC hears impassioned debate on gas drilling | stargazette.com | Star-Gazette.
NYC: ‘No Fracking Way’
It didn’t take long for a New York City public hearing on natural gas drilling to descend into near chaos.
Just seconds after the first speaker took the microphone at the Department of Environmental Conservation’s hearing, a man in a suit and tie jumped onto the stage at Stuyvesant High School, where the meeting was held.
“We want a statewide ban!” he shouted. “The gas drilling is dangerous!” As a pair of officers escorted the shouter off the stage, the crowd — which spilled out of the large auditorium — stood and screamed, brandishing anti-drilling signs.
Nov. 19 Public Meeting on Hydrofracking at State Theatre in Ithaca
The Tompkins County Council of Governments reports that the location has been set for one of the two public meetings it will sponsor on natural gas drilling.
The public hearing on the draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (dSGEIS) prepared by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19 at the State Theatre, 107 W. State St.
At the hearing, the public is invited to make verbal statements and/or submit written statements that TCCOG will submit to the DEC as formal comments on the dSGEIS.
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