Assemblymember Peoples-Stokes Calls for Statewide Ban on Fracking Buffalo residents, activists thank legislator for standing up for health and safety of all New Yorkers

July 17, 2012

Buffalo – Area residents, activists and community leaders rallied today in support of Assemblymember Crystal Peoples-Stokes as she announced her support for a statewide ban on hydraulic fracturing (fracking), a highly controversial natural gas drilling technique currently being considered by Governor Cuomo. Peoples-Stokes is the first state legislator outside of the New York City region to signal her support for fracking ban legislation (bill A7218), making her voice a prominent one in a rapidly expanding statewide anti-fracking movement. Also, her position on the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee makes her a key voice on the issue statewide.

“I do not believe we should move forward with something that has a high likelihood of damaging our most precious resource without a more thorough examination of the processes and consequences involved. We cannot and should not protect select communities. All New Yorkers deserve to have clean water preserved for themselves and generations to come. What we do with the fracking wastewater is my biggest concern. We do not need Western New York to become another dumping ground for the nation's waste,” stated Assemblywoman Peoples-Stokes.

Joining Peoples-Stokes in her announcement today were area residents and consumer advocacy, environmental and labor organizations that have been active in the anti-fracking movement and sought to thank the assemblymember publicly.

“We celebrate Assemblymember Peoples-Stokes for her leadership on this issue and for addressing the concerns of the community. There is a growing recognition that the state’s proposed regulations will fail to protect New York residents and the state’s drinking water supply from the toxic chemicals used in fracking. There is a strong mandate for to put a stop to the process of opening up New York to fracking – especially here in Western New York” said Rita Yelda, organizer for Food & Water Watch.

“In March the Common Council passed a resolution supporting a statewide ban on fracking, showing how far we have come to protect the citizens of this community. For the longest time, there had been a stigma attached to the Buffalo area due to the high contamination from the former heavy industries that have since left the area.” said Councilmember Joseph Golombek Jr. He added, “Many see fracking as just the newest form of heavy industrial contamination, with effects ranging from drill pads to toxic waste. The bill to prohibit fracking in New York at this time is significant, and the support of elected officials willing to stand up to protect our citizens, and our environment, from being a dumping ground for fracking waste is commendable."

Passing fracking ban legislation would prohibit the NY Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) from issuing drilling permits and stop the dangerous process before it begins. Currently the DEC is reviewing public comments and revising regulations in order to issue drilling permits. The issue has taken on immediate importance, as a report leaked to The New York Times in mid-June states that Governor Cuomo intends to establish a pilot program for fracking in five southern New York counties. This plan may represent merely a starting point before a “ramp up period,” for widespread fracking throughout the Marcellus and Utica shale formations, which cover most of the state including Buffalo and surrounding areas.

"Many New York State residents desire to have fracking banned, not regulating this toxic industry. It takes political will to serve the people's interest instead of the will of corporations. This kind of statesmanship is lacking with Governor Cuomo and our other state legislators like Senator Grisanti and Senator Kennedy. We've recently found out that the DEC's study, which many legislators are relying on, was first released to and modified by the gas industry before the general public was able to give their input. This action speaks for itself as betrayal of New York's residents and environment. We are pleased that Assemblymember Peoples-Stokes has the will and courage to allow the voice of the people to truly be heard," stated Jim Anderson, Vice President of the State Board of Citizen Action of NY.

"The Western New York Peace Center thanks Assemblywoman Peoples-Stokes for her support on this paramount and timely bill. We encourage other legislators to follow suit, as current proposed regulation would not protect the state from the harms of drilling," added Charley Bowman, Interim Director of the Western NY Peace Center.

There are glaring deficiencies in the draft plan drawn up by the DEC, some of which include: no empirical scientific data on drilling and fracking risks; no plan for disposing of millions of gallons of toxic wastewater; no assessment of the impact of shale gas development on New Yorkers’ health; no review of siting plans and risks of potentially explosive natural gas pipelines; unequal protections for watersheds; no complete socioeconomic study; and no provisions to protect sensitive areas from vertical drilling and lower-volume fracking.

Recently the Environmental Working Group found out that proposed DEC regulations were given to the oil and natural gas companies prior to being given to the public last September. "It's unthinkable that the gas industry be given advance notice or given any information that wasn't given to the rest of the public. It raises questions about the gas industry's ability to comment and potentially change those draft regulations," added Yelda.

Unequal watershed protection from drilling operations in the DEC's study, potential wastewater disposal in Niagara Falls and Tonawanda's chemical treatment plants, and the building of natural gas infrastructure like pipelines and compressor stations, such as the one in East Aurora already, all make fracking an extremely pressing issue for Western New Yorkers. On March 6, 2012, the City of Buffalo passed a resolution asking Governor Cuomo to reject the DEC's flawed study and instead pass a bill banning fracking in New York.

"New York has the opportunity to both revitalize the statewide economy and meet its energy needs through the development of clean, sustainable energy sources, including solar, wind, and energy efficiency. Our focus now should be on maximizing New York’s potential to become a national – and international – leader through establishment of a vibrant renewable energy policy, not supporting the growth of dirty drilling that puts our health and environment at risk," added Yelda.

Hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking", is an extreme process that uses millions of gallons of fresh water, sand, and cancer-causing chemicals to break up rock formations deep underground to release natural gas. In other states, fracking has been cited as a threat to surface and ground water, and has been blamed for fatal explosions and the contamination of drinking water, local streams, the air and soil. As recently as January, the EPA found arsenic and barium in drinking water in Pennsylvania where fracking has occurred. Collateral damage includes lost property value and drying up of mortgage loans for prospective home buyers.

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