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New York State got it right. Now let’s make the prohibition law.
Following scientific review, the Department of Environmental Conservation announced that it will prohibit high-volume horizontal hydrofracking here in New York.
I am pleased the State reached the same conclusion as I and the Assembly Majority did years ago – hydrofracking corrupts our natural environment and could produce disastrous consequences. In fact, I have voted for and the Assembly has passed moratorium legislation multiple times.
Some temporary jobs are not worth the taxpayer subsidies needed to implement fracking in New York. Capturing a small amount of fossil fuel is not worth disturbing the natural order and possibly damaging our water supply forever.
This decision means that now we don’t have to worry that hydrofracking will ruin air, contaminate water and destroy the land that we enjoy.
As Department of Health Acting Commissioner Howard Zucker illustrated: "Would I live in a community with (fracking) based on the facts that I have now? Would I let my child play in a school field nearby? After looking at the plethora of reports behind me...my answer is no.”
My 2012 words are still true today: “Hydrofracking is an idea whose time should never come to New York.”
The DEC prohibition is a great first step. Now, we must put the prohibition in law.
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