Contact Congressman Hinchey

Congressman Hinchey has been a leading environmental advocate for decades. As a former chair of the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee, he served many years with DEC Commissioner Grannis. He also worked extensively with the governor. His district includes the Catskills where New York City has major reservoirs. He could play a pivotal role in withdrawing the dSGEIS.

Email his environmental staffperson: dan.lamb@mail.house.gov

Call Congressman Hinchey:

When you reach out to Congressman Hinchey or his staff, contact us so we can maintain a record of outreach and share your comments like the ones below.

Congressman Hinchey Outreach
1. Dear Congressman Hinchey:

   If you have not signed the coalition petition because of "all the jobs" and the boost to the economy that fracking would allegedly provide, please remember that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have also provided thousands of jobs, have boosted certain economic sectors, but at what cost? We will find other, safer, better ways to provide work and strengthen the economy without further ravaging the environment and jeopardizing the well-being of the people; but we need to focus on long-term gains and not on the short-term. And consider how the numbers have been cooked, and by whom, to prove the benefits of drilling and hydrofracking. Bottom line is, the drilling and hydrofracking will be great for the folks for whom things are already great, at least for the short term.

   Please please please help persuade the governnor to withdraw the SGEIS.

   Sincerely,

   Elizabeth C

2. Dear Mr. Lamb,

   I am wondering why Rep. Hinchey hasn't signed the dsGEIS?

   As you must know, the present regulations for gas drilling do not protect us from gas companies who are interested in short-term profits. The state needs the money from the drilling and the DEC, I understand, may make money from the leases. But it is the people who live in the target areas who have not signed leases (and therefore, cannot take their money and leave), or have no land to lease, who will suffer the consequences of inadequate regulations, noise pollution, air pollution from dreadful toxic compounds, water pollution, road and bridge destruction, and environmental damage that will never be cleaned up. We will lose our homes and our health. Not just people will suffer, all the animals will suffer: the dairy cows, the meat animals, the hay fields, the crops, the forests, the birds, the deer, the fish, everything!

   It won't do me any good to grow my own food in my organic garden if the garden soil is polluted.

   This is too important to mess with. U. S. citizens are already suffering the consequences of many toxins in our blood from industry and we cannot afford more destruction of our environment by multi-national industries that care only for profit. If you don't believe in Global Warming, you must believe in Global Pollution, which affects all of us, and which is here to stay.

   It is time to stop giving huge companies control over our world, and to regulate them properly, or we are soon going to be too sick to do anything. This doesn't just affect us in the target area for hydrofracturing; it affects the whole world. We will just be sicker sooner in the target area and our environment will be ruined, which will be detrimental to the economy of New York State more than the profits from gas hydrofracturing will be beneficial.

   Please work to make better drilling regulations for New York State. It would be better still, if the EPA, under a Democratic President, would write the regulations.

   Sincerely,

   Shirley R

3. Dear Congressman Hinchey,

   Instead of citing the many issues not addressed by the DEC in their DSGEIS, and instead of coming to you from a scientific perspective that recognizes that many concerns regarding drilling for natural gas in New York State, I am appealing to you as a citizen, land owner, fellow democrat, educator and steward of the environment when I implore you to sign the petition to rescind the DEC Draft SGEIS on Horizontal Gas Drilling, High Volume Hyrofracturing and Production and declare a one year minimum continuation of the statewide moratorium on gas drilling and high volume hydrofracturing, until such time as the document can be rewritten to provide adequate protections to the environment and the citizens of the State. As presented, the DSGEIS fails to adequately address numerous aspects that would provide those protections. I also implore you to consider not allowing ANY gas drilling in New York State at any time in the future. As you must realize, the ramifications of drilling are many and they are devastating. Just as the EPA, many fellow NYS citizens, town boards, community groups, scientists, DEC union members, NYC watershed community members and other organizations have clearly articulated, the environmental impact and devastation from drilling and fracking to New York are irreparable and long term.

   As a life-long Democrat and resident of New York State and a property owner in three counties, I beg you to reconsider gas drilling in this beautiful state. These selfish actions of a minority of landowners coupled by the hasty actions by a desperate State government in financial despair will have long-term devastating and irreparable damage to the beauty, air quality, water quality, natural resources, community health and well-being, and the livelihood and health of New York residents not to mention the decreased potential for economic growth and development and tourism.

   In my lifetime, I’ve spent numerous hours hiking, biking, and swimming in the Catskill Mountains where I grew up. I now spend time engaging in these same activities and walking my dogs in both Broome and Tompkins counties enjoying the rolling hills, streams, and breathtaking landscapes. In fact, my husband and I were looking forward to retiring and building our dream home on land we purchased in Brooktondale NY, only to now to be devastated by the proposed drilling that we have so firmly opposed.

   Mr. Hinchey, I’ve supported you since I “knew” you as a young teen growing up in Ulster County. I have continued that support throughout my graduate education at Cornell and now as an Associate Professor at SUNY Oneonta and landowner in Broome County. However, I must say that I am EXTREMELY disappointed that you have not signed the petition in favor of rescinding the DSGEIS. In fact, I’m appalled that you haven’t been a stronger opponent against gas drilling in New York State! You started your career in the Hudson Valley and now represent us in the Southern Tier of NYS, have you forgotten its beauty? Please, I implore you to sign the petition to withdraw the DSDGEIS and to oppose any other drilling efforts in NYS.
   They are other solutions to our financial crisis. I invite you to bring together diverse people from this state to brainstorm ideas to address this crisis and to take a more proactive, environmentally intelligent approach to finding more appropriate solutions that will benefit all residents. I am happy to be the first in line to help. If not, highly educated and successful people like my husband and myself will have no choice to leave the state for a state with a more competent approach to resource management and governance and one that is more environmentally conscious.

   Thank you for your time and consideration,

   Leanne A

4. Dear Dan

   Please join the call to ask Governor Paterson to withdraw the draft
   sGEIS. Clearly more time is needed to make sure the environmental
   regulations of the gas industry protect our water. We need to ensure
   we don't sacrifice our drinking water for this domestic energy
   industry. I believe we can have both, but need to do it right.

   Please ask Mr. Hinchey to join this effort to buy more time for
   upstate NY to get it right. We have growth in sustainable economic
   sectors -- wineries, small scale organic farms, tourism, arts, etc.
   -- that we need to protect too

   Thank you.

   Victoria A

5. Dear Mr. Lamb,

   Could you please take our viewpoint into consideration, and forward this to Congressman Hinchey? Thank you!

   Dear Congressman Hinchey,

   We are enthusiastic constituents from Trumansburg, who have voted for you and always felt fully supported by you as our congressman. We live in New York State in good measure because of our access to pristine natural environments like the Catskills and the Adirondacks--and we enjoy the fresh water in our own well.

   Because of this, and because we are concerned about our fellow citizens’ well-being in addition to the land, the water, and the birds and animals, we strongly urge you to advocate for the withdrawal of the “dSGEIS” (Draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement) for Marcellus Shale Horizontal Drilling and Hydrofracking that was released on September 30, 2009. It does not adequately address either the known or unknown risks of horizontal drilling and high-volume hydraulic fracturing in the Marcellus Shale.

   The City of New York, in its comments regarding the dSGEIS, has claimed that the dSGEIS does not meet the requirements of the New York State Environmental Conservation Law. Among the named concerns, we are most disturbed about water contamination, the potential public health risks of hazardous chemicals proposed for use, and the potential radioactivity of the waste products. We are also concerned about the rate and scale of drilling, the wear and tear of massive trucks driving on local roads and bridges, and the clearing of thousands of acres.

   Finally--while we question the economic benefit that could possibly outweigh these environmental risks--we also wonder about the economic liability of dealing with waste water and infrastructure problems brought on by the massive trucks. Who will pay for these potential problems, which at this time seem inevitable?

   We understand that you have been a leading environmental advocate, and we see the good work that you do on other causes. Please support responsible stewardship of New York’s land in this instance, and work to withdraw the dSGEIS.

   Thank you,
   Jenna M. and Christine L.

6. Dear Mr. Lamb.

   Thank you for replying to my email regarding the Gas Drilling in the
   Marcellus Shale. I commend Congressman Hinchey for his response to the
   DSGEIS. It is well thought out and makes excellent points.

   I am most concerned about # 8* [see below] in his comments. The Finger Lakes
   area where I live and many other areas of NYS are also environmentally
   sensitive and scenic areas and should receive a special moratorium
   suggested for the Catskill area. One toxic spill in our area will
   also damage our water shed and "an industrialization of the landscape
   through a proliferation of natural gas drilling operations is
   inappropriate and incongruous with the established uses and
   designations of these areas. Any proposed drilling operations in
   these areas should face additional scrutiny and public input before
   gas drilling permits are issued. Requiring a SEIS within these
   sensitive areas is warranted and necessary to ensure that proposed gas
   drilling activities do not undermine and threaten significant public
   interests."

   I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT OUR OTHER NY STATE REGIONS ARE EXPENDABLE AND
   ARE LESS DESERVING OF PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC INTERESTS. . HIS
   COMMENTS DO NOT GO FAR ENOUGH IN THIS AREA. Additionally, asking
   Govenor Patterson to withdraw the dSGEIS and asking the DEC do all the
   things which are suggested in Congressman Hinchey's comments is one
   way to protect us all, not just those in the NYC watershed.

   Please relay my thanks to Congressman Hinchey for his comments on the
   dSGEIS and ask him to go this one step further to help grant all New
   Yorkers the protections he would like to extend to the New York City
   area. I am very grateful for all he has done and continues to do
   around this issue. I do agree that he is doing more than anyone in
   Congress to address this important issue.

   Best wishes for a happy new year to all of you and your families who
   work so hard on behalf of New York State residents.

   Sincerely,
   Nancy S

   *[from Congressman Hinchey's comments]: "8) Extend supplementary reviews with public input for key sensitive
   areas within the Marcellus Shale, including the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River and Catskill State Park, and accept
   calls for a drilling prohibition in the New York City Watershed."

7. Dear Mr. Lamb:

   Thanks very much for your response to my request for Rep. Hinchey to sign onto the call to Governor Paterson to withdraw the draft SGEIS.

   While I'm glad to hear of the various other steps Rep. Hinchey has taken on this issue, I am confused that it's not an easy decision for him to sign onto the widely-supported statement. I reiterate my request for him to do so.

   Sincerely,

   Andy M

8. Dan,

   Granted all the wonderful work that Mr. Hinchey appears to be taking on behalf of our state and his constituents to safeguard our greatest resources, water, I don't understand why, given, as you yourself write, that the petition "complements" Mr. Hinchey's work, he won't sign it. What possible reason prevents him from adding his title and position as our representative to this grass roots letter? If Mr Hinchey truly believes the dsGEIS needs further scrutiny why won't he sign the letter to Paterson with us? His not signing it calls into question his own political statements. Presenting the FRAC Act is all well and good, writing to Pete Grannis seems fairly dedicated, but ignoring this avenue, this "complementary" avenue certainly sends a different message to us, his constituents. The coalition letter tells Gov Paterson to reject the dsGEIS as it is written. What part of that statement does Mr. Hinchey not agree with?

   I appeal to you to convince Mr. Hinchey to sign the letter before the 31st. www.toxicstargeting.com

   A baffled citizen of New York,
   Fran L

9. Greetings,
   First and foremost: keep educating the senators and congressman on the need for shale gas drilling to be covered under the "Safe drinking water act" with EPA regulation on horizontal gas drilling.

   Today, I urge Congressman Hinchey to sign the coalition letter(circulated by Walter Hang) requesting Governor Paterson to withdraw the draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (dSGEIS) for Marcellus Shale Horizontal Drilling and Hydrofracking. Moreover, I urge him to persuade Governor Paterson to withdraw the draft SGEIS.

   My personal experience with NYS DEC engineers regarding TCE toxic pollution on south hill where my home is located does not give me confidence in the draft SGEIS as presently constituted..

   Below is my comment on the draft SGEIS recently sent to the DEC:
   Greetings,
   My home is in Tompkins county.
   Regarding the DGEIS on gas drilling into the Marcellus shale....In the St. Lawrence lowlands of Canada, between Montreal and Quebec City, "Liquid Propane" is being used at one or more well sites over the deeper Utica shale as a "fracking" liquid in place of fluid water!!

   I should like to recommend waiting until Liquid Carbon Dioxide(CO2) is available as a "fracking" liquid in place of liquid water..
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiLDIdGk4XE

   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triple_point
   Excelsior,
   Stanley S

10. Dan,
    Is Maurice aware of this? It's imperative that he join the call of 8,000 of his constituents, NYC and dozens of elected officials to WITHDRAW THE dSGEIS.
    Marty
11. Dear Governor Paterson:

    Please immediately withdraw the draft Supplemental GEIS for Marcellus Shale Horizontal Drilling and Hydrofracking because it is utterly inadequate to safeguard New York's environment and public health.

    The Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) own spill reports document that existing regulations have failed to prevent or to require the clean up of hundreds of natural gas and oil drilling problems involving fires, explosions, polluted drinking water wells, home evacuations and massive drilling wastewater releases. DEC must not issue new gas drilling permits until those regulatory concerns have been fully resolved. That is why the Supplemental GEIS review must be restarted.

    The draft SGEIS totally fails to propose a safe method of managing natural gas drilling wastewater and hydrofracking fluid. It simply leaves that task to localities. Improper management of natural gas drilling wastewater has already caused massive toxic pollution impacts. The SGEIS must solve this disposal problem before new natural gas drilling permits are issued.

    DEC is woefully understaffed to cope with existing natural gas drilling problems. Only 17 staff are available to regulate nearly 7,000 existing natural gas wells. New gas drilling permits must not be issued until the SGEIS solves this problem.

    The SGEIS fails to address critical issues associated with strict clean up liability, natural gas spill reporting, private right of legal action, insurance coverage and unfunded local government mandates. All those concerns must be addressed prior to the issuance of new gas drilling permits.

    I thank you in advance for taking action on this vital matter.

    Sincerely,

    Jon R