New York calls for ban on hydraulic fracking

July 3, 2013 | By Barbara Vergetis Lundin

With nearby states such as Vermont, New Jersey, Connecticut, and, most recently, Massachusetts, calling for a ban on hydraulic fracking, New York is also jumping on the bandwagon.

Vermont banned the processing of fracking in spring 2012. Last summer, New Jersey's legislators overwhelmingly voted for a similar ban and are planning a vote to override Gov. Chris Christie's veto of the measure later this year. Connecticut legislators introduced a waste ban bill this year.

One week ago, Massachusetts called on state legislators to ban the processing of fracking wastewater, with a bill similar to Vermont's picking up 14 co-sponsors and garnering the support of more than 10,000 citizens. New York quickly made a call of its own to legislators.

Environment New York issued the following statement to New York state legislators: "Laced with cancer-causing and even radioactive materials, the millions of gallons of toxic wastewater generated by fracking are among the most compelling reasons for New York to abandon the path of dirty drilling. Our neighbors certainly think so. Looking at how fracking in Pennsylvania led to the export of fracking waste to surrounding states including New York, every single one of New York's neighbors is sending a message about such waste in terms they hope Albany will understand: fuhgettaaboutit."

The statement continued, "In other words, none of our neighbors are willing or able to be a dumping ground for New York's toxic fracking waste. This fact draws into sharp relief that fracking proponents have presented no credible plan to safely manage the billions of pounds of toxic waste that would be generated by a fracking boom in New York. We urge Governor Cuomo to recognize this toxic regional calculus, and close the door on dirty drilling."

The true toll of fracking does not end with pollution, according to Environment New York. Fracking's negative impacts on our environment and health come with heavy "dollars and cents" costs ranging from cleaning up contaminated water to repairing ruined roads and beyond which will be borne by the public for decades to come, the organization contends.

Environment New York is calling upon local, state and federal governments to comprehensively restrict and regulate fracking to reduce its environmental, health and community impacts as much as possible, and ensure up-front financial accountability by requiring oil and gas companies to post dramatically higher bonds that reflect the true costs of fracking.

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