Gov. Andrew Cuomo again defended the state’s decision to delay a decision on high-volume hydrofracking in Syracuse today, saying New York officials decided “we could do more work” on assessing the public-health impacts.
Cuomo has been heavily criticized by landowners groups in the Southern Tier for the latest delay in the state’s review of hydrofracking, which has stretched on for more than four years. Late last month, the state Department of Environmental Conservation announced that health regulators would take a closer look at potential health effects before New York issues any large-scale hydrofracking permits.
When asked whether the delay represented a “step back” on hydrofracking, Cuomo said: “There is no step back.”
“I think it will be a more thorough review and it will be a stronger review to withstand a legal challenge,” Cuomo said. “I think legal challenges are likely and I think this will be a better review. Our lawyers say it will be a more defensible review in the event we’re challenged.”
Hydrofracking, which has pitted landowners and business interests against environmentalists, involves the use of water, sand and chemicals injected into underground, gas-rich shale formations to unlock natural gas. The Marcellus Shale, a large formation that spans several northeastern states, runs across much of the state’s Southern Tier and central region.
Cuomo’s comments came after he took a bus tour of construction and investments highlighted by the Central New York Regional Economic Development Council, one of 10 panels across the state that compete for state grants and incentives in a competitive program spearheaded by Cuomo last year.
(AP Photo)
2 Comments
Cuomo is correct in delaying Hydro-fracking, public health and safety must come first and they are not prepared to do this safely yet. It is not business against environmentalists in these small towns. I live in Upstate NY, its the small town people standing up for these moratoriums. There are NO lobbyists at our town halls pushing these decisions, regular people are overwhelmingly against Fracking their towns…because they want their families safe. That is the clear issue being stated in the town halls across upstate NY. There have been a handful of Pro-frack farmers also speaking directly for $ reasons. There is a huge risk in Fracking Upstate NY since also underground is 20% the WORLDS CLEAN WATER. Long-term this is an extremely valuable resource. It is important for America to create jobs and be energy independent, but there are other ways that are cleaner and more efficient for everyone involved. Solar and wind farms will not cause damage to the land and will still bring in revenue and jobs and create viable energy. Bio-deisel made from algae is an efficient, fast, and renewable process. Lets get off the toxic track and really move forward with our energy approach.
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