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DEC Regulation Accusations
There are allegations that the State Department of Environmental Conservation has breached the public trust.
Those harsh words come from the President of the environmental database firm in Ithaca called Toxics Targeting. Walter Hang says an extensive review of the DEC Mineral Resources annual reports shows that the agency has failed to protect the environment and people from some past gas drilling. Hang says the DEC has allowed improper gas and oil regulation for decades. Allegations include the DEC failing to do enough to protect water supplies and allowing billions of gallons of contaminated production brine to be put in lagoons, pits, streams and on roads without treating it first to remove chemicals. Hang also says that decades ago the DEC identified thousands of unplugged gas wells, but has allowed them to remain.
Hang says the agency's actions prove that its policies that the fracking SGEIS is based on are inadequate. "What we're basically saying today is, it isn't enough to have good regulations based on science, you have to also enforce those regulations. There's no dispute that DEC has failed to do that."
Hang, Binghamton Mayor Matt Ryan and other environmental advocates are asking Governor Andrew Cuomo to withdraw the SGEIS based on this information. You can see Hang's findings at toxicstargeting.com.
In response, the DEC says it takes all complaints of water contamination seriously and works with the state Health Department to make sure residents have safe drinking water. The DEC also says the revised SGEIS includes multiple safeguards to protect drinking water supplies. A spokeswoman adds that the agency has brine guidelines that are followed. And, that the SGEIS would not allow the use of Marcellus Shale production brine for road spreading until sufficient data is available to evaluate potential impacts. Lastly, the DEC says it will continue to work to plug abandoned wells. Under the SGEIS, drillers would be required to plug old wells if they are within one mile of a fracking operation.
Lamb on Fracking
22nd District Congressional Candidate Dan Lamb says if fracking isn't safe for all of New York State, it's not safe for this area.
Democrat Lamb was in Binghamton today where he outlined his stance on fracking. He says the statewide moratorium on fracking should remain in place. And, that comprehensive public health, environmental and economic impact studies should be done so people can see the true impact of drilling.
Lamb says the gas industry should go out of its way to prove that the process is safe. "Keep in mind that this is an industry that has resisted even disclosing the type of chemicals and their proportions that they use in the frack fluid that they want to pump into our ground. Give me a break. I believe it's dangerous, short-sighted and irresponsible to move forward without all the risk."
Lamb says that the man he is challenging, Republican incumbent Richard Hanna, has not worked to close loopholes in the drilling industry and has not worked to strengthen the federal government's study of the drilling technique.
Congressman Hanna says that he will only support fracking in New York if it is proven by science to be safe and would not put water supplies at risk. He says if it is done in the state, the process should be transparent and include regulations such as chemical disclosure.
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Lamb: Election is referendum on reckless drilling
BINGHAMTON — Asking voters to consider November’s election “a referendum on reckless drilling,” Democratic congressional candidate Dan Lamb on Tuesday sought to push the debate over hydraulic fracturing to the forefront of his campaign against incumbent Rep. Richard Hanna.
In a 10-minute address during a rally at Binghamton’s Confluence Park, Lamb said it would be “reckless and potentially catastrophic,” to permit natural gas drilling in New York without conducting more studies and implementing more environmental safeguards.
“I’m here today ... to say to Washington, Albany and the shale gas industry that we will not allow you to pollute our air, poison our water, scar our landscape for short-term profits and for jobs for out-of-state workers,” Lamb said.
Hanna, R-Barneveld, has also expressed reservations about fracking. However, Lamb criticized the freshman lawmaker for not taking action to strengthen the federal government’s role in regulating the natural gas extraction technique.
Lamb said he would work to bolster the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ongoing study on fracking and add his support to a piece of federal legislation called the “FRAC Act” that would make fracking subject to federal environmental regulations from which it is currently exempt.
“My opponent, on this issue, does what he does on just about every issue. He tries to tell people what they want to hear while concealing his agenda,” Lamb said. “Here’s the truth: Richard Hanna has said he wants safe drilling, but he hasn’t signed on to the FRAC Act ... And he hasn’t lifted a finger to hold this industry accountable. He’s AWOL on this issue.”
In a statement Tuesday, Hanna reiterated his position that he only supports fracking in New York “if it is proven by science to be safe and would not put our water supply at risk.”
“Hydraulic fracturing has the potential to produce significant positive economic benefits, but should not be done at the risk of our aquifers,” Hanna said. “Fracking should continue to be primarily regulated by bodies closer to the people — state and local governments.”
Fracking opponents, including Binghamton Mayor Matthew T. Ryan, Ithaca activist Walter Hang and Cornell University professor Robert Howarth spoke in support of Lamb at Tuesday’s rally.
Hanna and Lamb are vying for the seat representing the newly-drawn 22nd Congressional District, which spans all or parts of eight counties stretching from the Pennsylvania border to Lake Ontario.
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Hydrofracking debate plays into election season
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- As election season nears, the hydrofracking debate gets heated in the Southern Tier. Democratic Congressional candidate Dan Lamb held a rally in Binghamton opposing hydraulic fracturing in five counties in the Southern Tier on Tuesday afternoon.
“I believe it’s dangerous, short-sighted and irresponsible to move for without knowing all the risks,” said Lamb.
Lamb is running against Congressman Richard Hanna for the newly created 22nd Congressional District, which includes all or part of three out of the five counties where governor Cuomo may allow fracking.
“It would be reckless and potentially catastrophic to advance this industry prior to restoring critical environmental safeguards, completing the honest research needed to prove that this industry is indeed safe,” said Lamb.
With lots of people on both sides of the issue, many say hydrofracking will play a key role in the upcoming election.
“In a way this election in November is going to be a public referendum on the issue of hydrofracking it’s not about party allegiance, it’s about an issue that will affect everyone,” said Doug Vitarius, Sanford Resident.
Lamb called out Hanna for what he says is not taking a stance on the issue yet.
"Congressman Hanna has not declared his position on gas drilling,” said Lamb. “He's said the same thing so many have said, 'I'm for safe drilling,' but what does that mean?"
YNN reached out to Hanna about the issue and he responded by saying, “I’ve consistently said that I would only support fracking in New York if it is proven by science to be safe and would not put our water supply at risk. The decision to access natural gas should not be made based on politics or emotion, but rather the facts.”
An issue that is sure to be a hot topic right into November.
Lamb Stands Up Against Southern Tier Fracking
Binghamton, NY (WBNG Binghamton) As New York waits for word on if and where fracking will occur, the Democratic candidate for the U.S. 22nd district Congressional seat speaks out against it.
Local leaders and environmental groups joined Dan Lamb at a rally in opposition to the potential to allow drilling for shale gas.
Dan Lamb says there needs to be more federal safeguards in place and studies done before fracking comes to counties in the Southern Tier.
The Democrat said he believes the state-wide moratorium should stay in place and comprehensive public health, environmental and economic impact studies should be done.
Lamb says even if Governor Andrew Cuomo approves fracking in counties in the Southern Tier of New York State, it won't stop him from pursuing an agenda in Congress on this issue.
"We will not allow you to pollute our air, poison our water, scar our landscape for short-term profits and for jobs for out of state workers. We're not going to do that," said Lamb, "I believe fundamentally it would be reckless and catastrophic to advance this industry prior to restoring critical environmental safeguards, completing the honest research needed to prove this industry is indeed safe."
Reports have said the Cuomo administration may allow fracking only in the five counties that border Pennsylvania's Northern Tier.
There is no official word on when New York will announce its decision or begin permitting.
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