Letter to Governor Cuomo

ADIRONDACK MOUNTAIN CLUB ∙ CATSKILL MOUNTAINKEEPER ∙ CITIZEN ACTION OF NEW YORK ∙CITIZENS CAMPAIGN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT ∙ CONCERNED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS OF NEW YORK ∙ EARTHWORKS ∙ ENVIRONMENT NEW YORK ∙ ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES OF NEW YORK ∙ FOOD & WATER WATCH ∙ FRACK ACTION ∙ NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL ∙ NEW YORK PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP ∙ RIVERKEEPER ∙ SIERRA CLUB ATLANTIC CHAPTER ∙ UNITED FOR ACTION

Governor Andrew Cuomo
Executive Chamber
State Capitol
Albany
New York 12224

November 1, 2013

Dear Governor Cuomo:

We, the undersigned environmental organizations and public advocates, urge you to stand firm in maintaining New York State’s de facto moratorium on high-volume hydraulic fracturing (‘fracking’). We greatly appreciate that you have been resolute in insisting that science dictates any decisions regarding fracking, and have faith you will continue to do so.

You recently reiterated this sound approach and noted that you and your administration are doing your best to understand all the facts and that it can be difficult to assemble all available information.1 We appreciate this, particularly given the breadth and significance of new scientific information rapidly emerging in this area. As such, to assist in your review, we have put together a memorandum that highlights some of the critical new information that has emerged over the past year.

During this period, the body of scientific evidence showing the magnitude of potential risks associated with shale gas extraction via horizontal fracking has grown significantly. As set forth in detail in the attached memorandum, this includes four major categories of new science and case studies that have emerged:

• Evidence linking water contamination to fracking-related activities has increased.
• The disposal of fracking wastewater has been causally linked to earthquakes.
• Air quality impacts from fracking-related activities are clearer than ever. They include evidence of unsafe levels of pollutants such as ozone, benzene, and silica dust— pollutants that are linked to costly, disabling health problems.
• The economic benefits of the fracking boom have been challenged as being over-hyped and short-lived.

The rapid pace and scale of new information that is becoming available on nearly a weekly basis provides a powerful justification for your continued adherence to a cautious approach that puts science first.

Doctors take an oath to “first, do no harm.” By pledging to not allow fracking if it cannot be done safely, you have made a similar vow.

What is clear from the new information highlighted in the attached memorandum—building upon significant prior evidence for harm—is that fracking poses demonstrable threats to water, air, public health, quality of life, and the long-term economic health of communities and the state. This developing science compels maintaining New York’s de facto moratorium on fracking so that a final determination whether to move forward at all is based on the very best information. Furthermore, considering all of the scientific evidence about the impacts of fracking, we respectfully note that the current DOH health review is not sufficient and must be put on hold. We call for a comprehensive health impact assessment, which we believe is necessary to determine what the public health impacts of fracking would be and to ensure the wellbeing of all New Yorkers.

Thank you for your continued measured leadership on this issue of utmost importance to New Yorkers and their communities.

Sincerely,

Neil F. Woodworth, Executive Director and Counsel
Adirondack Mountain Club

Wes Gillingham, Program Director
Catskill Mountainkeeper

Karen Scharff, Executive Director
Citizen Action of New York

Sarah Eckel, Legislative & Policy Director
Citizens Campaign for the Environment

Larysa Dyrszka, MD
Concerned Health Professionals of New York

Nadia Steinzor, Eastern Program Coordinator
Earthworks

Eric Whalen, Field Organizer
Environment New York

Katherine Nadeau, Policy Director
Environmental Advocates of New York

Alex Beauchamp, Northeast Region Director
Food & Water Watch

Julia Walsh, Campaign Director
Frack Action

Kate Sinding, Deputy Director New York Program
Natural Resources Defense Council

Cathleen Breen, Watershed Protection Coordinator
New York Public Interest Research Group

Kate Hudson, Watershed Program Director
Riverkeeper

Roger Downs, Conservation Director
Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter

David Braun, President
United for Action

cc: Commissioner Nirav Shah
Commisioner Joe Martens

1 Jon Campbell Gannett, Cuomo on fracking review: "I think we're doing a good job on it", ITHACAJOURNAL.COM (Oct. 10, 2013), http://www.ithacajournal.com/article/20131010/NEWS11/131010002/.