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Activists speak on fracking hazards
BINGHAMTON, N.Y.
Opponents of hydrofracking are warning the public about numerous accidents, spills and disasters that have taken place across the State.
Walter Hang of Toxics Targeting held a news conference at the Broome County Library to present what he calls disturbing findings.
He says there have been a number of fires, explosions, and ruptures as a result of natural gas, crude oil and petroleum pipeline infrastructure in New York.
Hang also says toxic discharges have not been cleaned to state standards.
As a result, Hang says hundreds of homes have been evacuated and eventually demolished.
Toxics Targeting, an environmental database firm, released a three-hundred and fifty-eight page summary for one-hundred and fourteen incidents that have taken place.
Hang says even the most reliable equipment used in the industry isn't foolproof.
"The bottom line is that you can have the best technology but that doesn't mean that's it's not going to fail. That's exactly what we've seen time and time again in New York based on the DEC's own data. It's not just one or a little spill, there are literally thousands of these spills," said Hang.
In addition to releasing the findings, Hang has also sent a letter to Governor Cuomo.
It would request that all pending Water Quality Certification applications for new natural gas, petroleum and crude oil infrastructure projects be denied, including the proposed Constitution Pipeline.
'Toxics Targeting' against proposed pipelines
(WBNG Binghamton) A local environmental database firm is calling on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to deny certification for new and expanding natural gas pipelines.
On Thursday, Toxics Targeting presented 114 cases of what it calls "clear evidence" that the Department of Environmental Conservation cannot manage the negative effects of pipeline spills.
The group is demanding the governor to deny 401 Clean Water Certification for the proposed Constitution Pipeline, Northeast Energy Direct Pipeline and the proposed expansion of the Dominion Pipeline.
"The bottom line is you could have the best technology but that doesn't mean it is not going to fail,” said Walter Hang, of Toxics Targeting Inc. “That is exactly what we have seen time and time again in New York based on the DEC's own data."
Hang says Toxics Targeting has already sent a letter to the governor asking to deny the request.
The group says it has not yet heard back.
Battle over Pipelines as State Certification Looms
One of the main opponents of fracking is now setting his sights on proposed pipeline projects in New York.
Walter Hang of Toxics Targeting has documented 114 spills in the state. That's data he says proves the state shouldn't grant what are called Section 401 water quality certifications that projects need to move forward in New York.
This includes the Constitution Pipeline. A spokesperson for that project says the pipeline company has worked with the Department of Environmental Conservation for the past three years to ensure the safety of the project.
"These have probably been granted on a wish and a prayer but now we're going to basically require the Governor to enforce the law and the law is very strict and very onerous," said Hang.
"There's thousands of miles of pipe in New York that operate reliably every single day. The National Transportation Safety Board says that pipelines are actually the safest and most efficient way to transport energy," said Christopher Stockton, Spokesperson for the Constitution Pipeline.
Stockton expects the state to make it's decision on granting the 401 certification soon. Hang says pipelines have caused water quality hazards that have never been cleaned up.