The end of the period for submitting public comments to the New York DEC regarding their proposed regulations of hydrofracking in New York is rapidly approaching.
The public comment period for the revised draft SGEIS concludes Dec. 12. While some Democratsic State politicians are attempting to get an extension of that comment period, if you live in New York and oppose hydrofracking, or simply wish to see that the regulations and rules that have been proposed go as far as possible to protect New Yorkers, I urge you to send your comments in a letter to the Governor at:
Honorable Andrew Cuomo
Governor
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224
and to the DEC at:
ATTN: dSGEIS Comments
NYS DEC
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 1224-6510
You can also submit coimments to the DEC at this LINK.
If you don't have the time to draft your own letter or comments, please feel free to use the one I submitted, which I provide for you after the Kos squiggly thing. I surrender all rights to its use for this purpose.
Please act now. The Governor and the NYDEC seem determined to fast track this rule making process and allow the oil and gas companies to despoil and contaminate New York's environment and place the long-term health of millions of New Yorkers at risk for the benefit of the oil and gas firms, which in all likelihood will not follow the rules promulgated by the NYDEC once drilling commences.
November 10, 2011
ATTN: dSGEIS Comments
NYS DEC
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 1224-6510
[or to:
Honorable Andrew Cuomo
Governor
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224]
Re: Hydrofracking in New York – Comments of Steven D. Searls
To whom it may concern [or Dear Governor Cuomo]:
I oppose any expansion of hydrofracking and other drilling operations by oil and gas companies in New York. Anyone who has been following the news and scientific evidence that continues to mount regarding the use by oil and gas firms of these methods of drilling across the country knows that the risk to the future health of New Yorkers and to our environment is too high to allow these drilling methods to be employed in our state.
In particular, the numerous reports regarding drilling in the Marcellus shale region have exposed the dangers to individuals and the environment where hydrofracking drilling technologies are being used: ground water contamination, release of radioactive materials into water supplies, air pollution, noise pollution, and the release of known toxic and carcinogenic substances into our air and water, etc.
We have seen the damage these types of drilling technologies have done to states such as Wyoming, Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and our neighbor to the south, Pennsylvania. To permit hydrofracking activities in New York in the face of the known risks posed by these drilling methods would place the profits of oil and gas firms before welfare of every New Yorker. The threat is greatest to children, the elderly and other people, such as my wife and I, with compromised immune systems, who are most vulnerable to the carcinogenic chemicals and other toxic waste products that invariably result from the use of this drilling technology.
Specifically, I demand that the following actions be taken with regard to the dangers posed by any expansion of drilling operations in New York:
1. A ban on the use of open pits. Instead, if any drilling is to be conducted at all, closed loop drilling should be mandated.
2. All toxic and carcinogenic chemicals which might possibly used by oil and gas companies in their drilling operations should be banned.
3. Ban drilling near any aquifer, reservoir, lake, river or stream and all measures necessary to prevent groundwater contamination should be imposed in order to protect the water NY citizens use for drinking, cleaning, bathing and watering our lawns and plants.
4. I demand an extension of the public comment period to at a minimum March 31, 2012. The current public comment period is too short to allow for a thorough discussion by all interested New Yorkers and scientists concerned about the risks and dangers to which hydrofracking has been connected.
As a New Yorker with two children, I pray that you will not cave in to the political pressure and influence exerted by the oil and gas industry, and will act in the best interests of the people of New York. Any short-term benefit from drilling in New York using hydrofracking technologies is far outweighed by the long-term costs to our citizens and our state. Long after any methane gas has been extracted and the oil and gas firms have left for other places in which to ply their odious trade, we will still be dealing with the environmental and health impacts of their activities.
Sincerely,
[Name and address -- Required]
[Phone # or Email address: optional]