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Hydraulic fracturing officially prohibited in New York
(WBNG Binghamton) The state Department of Environmental Conservation has officially prohibited high-volume hydraulic fracturing across New York.
The DEC issued its formal findings statement this week, completing a seven year review.
"We are a state that’s at the heart of the Marcellus Shale formation," said President of Toxics Targeting Walter Hang. " And we value protecting public health and the environment more than we value getting fossil fuels out of the ground."
In its statement, the DEC said, "high-volume hydraulic fracturing poses significant adverse impacts to land, air, water, natural resources and potential significant public health impacts."
Not everyone agrees.
"This is nothing more than a political decision," said President of the Joint Landowners Coalition of New York Daniel Fitzsimmons.
Earlier this month, the United States Environmental Protection Agency released a draft assessment of its latest study on hydro-fracking.
The EPA concluded, "hydraulic fracturing activities in the U.S. are carried out in a way that have not led to widespread, systemic impacts on drinking water resources."
Fitzsimmons agrees with the EPA.
"I believe the EPA, the federal government," said Fitzsimmons. "There isn't anything that's brought up where hydraulic fracturing has actually caused any problem with any water aquifers. None."
Hang hopes to meet with representatives with the EPA soon.
"We're gonna try to get EPA to revise that draft," said Hang. "Shale fracking has to be done properly, otherwise it can't be allowed."
Some say fracking can be done properly.
"There's 30 states that are actually drilling and are using hydraulic fracturing," said Fitzsimmons. "This can be done safely we just have to use the proper management practices and do it right."
Locals react to fracking ban
Binghamton (WIVT) - Members of the community who oppose fracking are rejoicing one day after New York State officially banned the practice of high-volume hydraulic fracturing.
A news conference was held outside Binghamton City Hall Tuesday afternoon.
Representatives from New York State Residents Against Drilling, or NYRAD, gathered to celebrate the prohibition of fracking in the State.
On Monday, the State's DEC released a final assessment concluding that there are no feasible alternatives to avoid or minimize environmental impacts of fracking.
President of Toxics Targeting Walter Hang said he couldn't believe the news.
"I was shocked, I was thrilled. I couldn't believe that it turned out so well. When I read the findings statement, it was like looking at all of the concerns that we originally raised," said Hang.
The Joint Landowners Coalition of New York, who are in favor of fracking, have released the following statement:
"Governor Cuomo has dealt a devastating blow to thousands of Upstate New Yorkers who had hoped to pull themselves up from economic despair. The Governor's Upstate New York policies have led to the largest out-migration of any state in the nation, causing Southern Tier residents to call for secession to Pennsylvania."
Did EPA Fracking Study Hit the Mark?
A new EPA study on fracking has those on both sides of the debate digesting the findings.
According to a draft assessment by the agency while fracking procedures have been carried out in a way that have not led to widespread, systemic impacts on drinking water resources, there are potential vulnerabilities in the water lifecycle that could impact drinking water. These vulnerabilities include: water withdrawals in areas with low water availability, inadequately cased or cemented wells resulting in below ground migration of gases and liquids, and inadequately treated wastewater discharged into drinking water resources.
Fracking opponents say the study was incomplete since it didn't include data from New York. Those in favor of the practice say the study shows fracking can be done safely.
"We hope that New York will start to look at studies like this and understand that the prevailing view in this nation and around the country and federal government is that this can be done safely," said Scott Kurkoski, attorney for the Joint Landowners Coalition of New York.
"The Department of Environmental Conservation and local county health authorities in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegheny Counties had documented extensive drinking water impacts associated with oil and gas extraction," said Walter Hang, President of Toxics Targeting.
The Cuomo Administration banned fracking in New York last December.