**IMPORTANT: Please make sure you fill in all info requested and get an email confirmation after you sign. Also, click on "Letter" to the left to see the actual petition.
INTRO: Geological experts claim that shale beds in New York, particularly the Utica and Marcellus Shale, contain significant amounts of natural gas. Numerous energy and gas drilling companies are now vying with one another to tap these deposits using a method known as horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing (hydrofracking). The recent release of the fatally flawed draft supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement on horizontal drilling and hydrofracking by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is now bringing this issue to the forefront. Hydrofracking, a gas extraction process developed by Halliburton, pumps millions of gallons of water and 'fracking fluids' containing mixtures of up to 250 toxic chemicals under high pressure to break apart the rock, forcing the gas to the surface. With operations in 32 states, the gas industry has provided ample evidence that extracting gas from low permeable rock is environmentally unsafe. It is unlikely that this method of drilling could ever be made completely safe, regardless of regulations, and natural gas drilling in New York State has the capacity to jeopardize the health, safety and welfare of millions of New York residents. As global corporations turn our state into a sacrifice zone, reap massive short-term profits, and significantly add to greenhouse gas emissions, the true costs of drilling in terms of environmental impacts, quality of life, and long-term cleanup costs will be passed on to state residents. Due to the inherent danger of un-natural gas drilling and the potentially massive impact on our local rural communities, we are calling for a complete ban on drilling in low permeable stone deposits in New York State. Join us by adding your signature to the petition!
**IMPORTANT: Please make sure you fill in all info requested and get an email confirmation after you sign. Also, click on "Letter" to the left to see the actual petition.
INTRO: Geological experts claim that shale beds in New York, particularly the Utica and Marcellus Shale, contain significant amounts of natural gas. Numerous energy and gas drilling companies are now vying with one another to tap these deposits using a method known as horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing (hydrofracking). The recent release of the fatally flawed draft supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement on horizontal drilling and hydrofracking by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is now bringing this issue to the forefront. Hydrofracking, a gas extraction process developed by Halliburton, pumps millions of gallons of water and 'fracking fluids' containing mixtures of up to 250 toxic chemicals under high pressure to break apart the rock, forcing the gas to the surface. With operations in 32 states, the gas industry has provided ample evidence that extracting gas from low permeable rock is environmentally unsafe. It is unlikely that this method of drilling could ever be made completely safe, regardless of regulations, and natural gas drilling in New York State has the capacity to jeopardize the health, safety and welfare of millions of New York residents. As global corporations turn our state into a sacrifice zone, reap massive short-term profits, and significantly add to greenhouse gas emissions, the true costs of drilling in terms of environmental impacts, quality of life, and long-term cleanup costs will be passed on to state residents. Due to the inherent danger of un-natural gas drilling and the potentially massive impact on our local rural communities, we are calling for a complete ban on drilling in low permeable stone deposits in New York State. Join us by adding your signature to the petition!
We the undersigned ... CALL FOR A BAN ON GAS DRILLING IN LOW-PERMEABLE STONE DEPOSITS IN NEW YORK STATE
Whereas, 1. With a failure rate of between 2 to 8 percent, horizontal drilling and hydrofracking pose an unacceptable risk to our drinking water and the quality of groundwater, aquifers, lakes and streams
2. Drilling will introduce over 250 chemicals into our air and water, placing local residents, wildlife, and critical agriculture and watershed areas at risk
3. Communities where hydrofracking has occurred have experienced explosions, fires, spills, stream contamination, and well pollution as well as degradation of aquifers and other water supplies
4. Local emergency services, including volunteer fire departments, EMS units, and healthcare providers, will be severely stressed and placed at considerable risk from accidents
5. Gas drilling in NYS will involve construction of a massive infrastructure of wellheads, pipelines, compressing stations, and processing centers spread across much of rural upstate NY
6. Infrastructure development will involve extensive clearcutting, 24 hour noise and light pollution, huge increases of truck traffic, and the permanent altering of existing landscapes
7. Industrialization is incompatible with agriculture, tourism, recreation; drilling and related development will significantly alter existing use patterns of rural areas
8. Compulsory integration of neighboring landowners to allow gas extraction against their wishes is an unlawful seizure of land and an unconstitutional abuse of power
9. Extensive drilling will undermine property values and increase tax burdens on local citizens, creating boom and bust economic cycles in local communities
10. New York City's Dept. of Environmental Protection has concluded that hydrofracking is too dangerous for the city's Catskill/Delaware watershed
11. NYS DEC's draft Environmental Impact Statement (dSGEIS) is fatally flawed in its open support of drilling, its minimization and dismissal of risks, and its failure to consider the total cost of drilling
12. NYS DEC is seriously understaffed and underfunded, and is in no position to regulate and effectively monitor drilling in NYS, and
13. Natural gas is not "clean energy" but rather just another polluting, non-renewable fossil fuel contributing to global warming
We call on you to put the people first and protect our health, environment, communities, and future by banning horizontal drilling and hydrofracking to release gas from low-permeable stone formations in New York State.
We signed the "BAN NATURAL GAS DRILLING IN NEW YORK STATE" petition!
# 2,150:
12:58 am PST, Nov 21,Elaine Marchetti, Pennsylvania
# 2,149:
8:08 pm PST, Nov 20,Kevin Mayer, New York
For more impact, add a personal comment here
# 2,148:
8:03 pm PST, Nov 20,Jun Wang, New York
Ban natural gas drilling before too many people got cancer.
# 2,147:
7:30 pm PST, Nov 20,Blake Webber, New York
Water is the reason we're a living organism, so we should just pollute every last clean drop we've got! +D
# 2,146:
7:12 pm PST, Nov 20,Joshua Chaiken, New York
# 2,145:
4:55 pm PST, Nov 20,Ellen A Smith, Pennsylvania
PLEASE consider this petition the ban of fracking in NYS - plus if you can help PA it would be appreciated.
# 2,144:
4:40 pm PST, Nov 20,Robyn Bem, New York
The health of the people, the land on which they live, and our water supply cannot be compromised. I request that you NOT support hydrofracking and horizontal drilling. You MUST place the population first and not become a part of the greed of the companies vying to destroy the land by drilling. Think independently and clearly about what you are doing. The people are speaking to you in loud voices. Hear them!
# 2,143:
4:35 pm PST, Nov 20,Margaret Johnston, New York
# 2,142:
4:31 pm PST, Nov 20,Jim Brown, New York
Drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale region is unnecessary and will be disastrous for the environment. New York should be concentrating on developing alternative energy sources and promoting energy conservation, not endangering our drinking water and promoting increased global warming. There should be a total ban on drilling in Marcellus Shale.
# 2,141:
4:00 pm PST, Nov 20,Sarah Locke, New York
All life depends on clear and safe air and water. NO to gas drilling!
# 2,140:
1:29 pm PST, Nov 20,Michael Lengyel, New York
# 2,139:
12:20 pm PST, Nov 20,Andres Arroyo, New York
Is it true that New York City won't allow drilling near their water supply, but will gladly accept money from taxing drilling companies in other parts of the state?
# 2,138:
11:44 am PST, Nov 20,Name not displayed, New York
# 2,137:
11:10 am PST, Nov 20,Dylan Bandy, New York
This is a dangerous and pricey endeavor. Please consider the long-term effects of this drilling before you make a decision. The community depends on you for that levelheadedness.
# 2,136:
10:59 am PST, Nov 20,Kate Cofrancesco, New York
# 2,135:
10:25 am PST, Nov 20,Lynn Biderman, New York
# 2,134:
10:14 am PST, Nov 20,Anne Klingensmith, New York
"We will fight you in the courts, we will fight you in the legislature and if we have to, we will fight you in the streets"
# 2,133:
10:07 am PST, Nov 20,Ken Hull, New York
I think fracking is the most dangerous hazard possible for our environment, our waters, our children's futures.
# 2,132:
10:01 am PST, Nov 20,Fritz Anderson, New York
I believe that any practice or process that endangers our groundwater aquifers is unacceptable. I would like to further state that giving the any gas exploration or energy company a free hand to exploit the states natural resources is unacceptable. I believe these companies are taking advantage of the current economic condition with hollow promises of jobs and newly generated revenues. the risks of this hydrofracturing process clearly outweigh the benefits.
# 2,131:
9:51 am PST, Nov 20,Susan Dixon, New York
# 2,130:
9:35 am PST, Nov 20,Name not displayed, New York
I support a ban on all natural gas drilling throughout NYS. Banning such dangerous short-sighted methods of extraction and discontinuing our reliance on non-renewable unsustainable energy sources show REAL care for the future of our state, and the health of all (including legislators and your own families!) Take up true leadership now and stand for people over profits and for real energy solutions that will serve us ALL in the long-term.
# 2,129:
9:23 am PST, Nov 20,RICHARD IERVOLINO, New York
MANY IN THE STATE HAVE HAD TO ENDURE THE NATIONAL GRID INVASION ON OUR PRECIOUS LANDS NOW NEED TO STAND FIRM AGAINST THIS TYPE OF GAS DRILLING.
# 2,128:
8:51 am PST, Nov 20,Richard Pisani, New York
# 2,127:
8:09 am PST, Nov 20,Name not displayed, New York
dont turn NY into the tragedy of Appalachian mountain top strip mining
# 2,126:
7:52 am PST, Nov 20,Marta Black, New York
# 2,125:
6:42 am PST, Nov 20,Michael Greenlar, New York
This is the most important enviromental issue in Upstate New York. Act now before it is too late. Continued gas drilling will result in an environmental disater.
# 2,124:
6:38 am PST, Nov 20,Frank Patterson, New York
# 2,123:
6:15 am PST, Nov 20,Michael Andres, New York
Chesapeake Energy pulled out rather than have to release information on the process and its byproducts. The company is afraid PA will halt the process, too. Stop all the drilling. Keep up the good work.
# 2,122:
6:13 am PST, Nov 20,Name not displayed, New York
As a landowner who stands to gain financially from Marcellus drilling I too oppose any horizontal drilling which utilizes hydrofracturing fluids. There is no reason to rush into drilling without a plan which protects our water, provides significant financial benefit to the entire community, not just landowners, and creates an industry funded regulatory infrastructure capable of managing the eventual and gradual expansion of drilling.
# 2,121:
5:40 am PST, Nov 20,Zetta Sprole, New York
If you think for one minute you are going to take over and destroy the Finger Lakes Area and contaminate our waters, THINK AGAIN! Are you people fracking insane? you will NEVER get away with it. DON'T wake up the sleeping giant of this area because you will not be able to control this population as you have others less fortunate.
Fracking is too dangerous, invest in other energy ideas instead!
# 2,120:
4:58 am PST, Nov 20,Scott Carlson, New York
# 2,119:
4:27 am PST, Nov 20,Jay Tran, New York
# 2,118:
10:46 pm PST, Nov 19,Jean Standish, New York
The proposal to drill for gas in the New York City watershed is insanity. The only possible reason this is being proposed is economic gain. State files show there have been 270 drilling accidents in the state since 1979, including wastewater spills, well contamination, gas migrations and other damage related to gas production. The hydro-fracture drilling under review requires millions of gallons of water, laced with a cocktail of toxic drilling chemicals, to be injected into the shale formation to fracture it and release the gas confined in the rock. The state's proposed drilling standards do not regulate where the fracking water would come from and how it should be transported to the wellheads. The rules about storing the returned chemical-laden water and disposing it are also inadequate. What the state is proposing is a public health risk and an environmental disaster. There should be a complete ban on natural gas drilling in all 27 counties of the state's Southern Tier.
# 2,117:
8:48 pm PST, Nov 19,Name not displayed, New York
This is too dangerous! Not worth it! Invest in alternative energy instead!
# 2,116:
8:44 pm PST, Nov 19,Joselyn Harmon, New York
# 2,115:
8:27 pm PST, Nov 19,Cynthia CHALDEKAS, New York
Before we lop the tops of mountains off in search of gas in the rock hard shale bed, sullying out watershed's environment. We need to rethink this process. We don't need to be injecting chemicalized water so to facilitate the breaking up the rock, to get the gas within and then dump the waste in plastic lined pits, a known and totally inadequate solution for waste disposal. Simply don't drill, please don't drill.
# 2,114:
8:16 pm PST, Nov 19,Jim Shanks, New York
# 2,113:
6:44 pm PST, Nov 19,Paula Krauss, New York
The damage that can be done by this kind of drilling is too frightening to consider for our state. The risks to the environment are immense and won't be undone. And anyone who pretends otherwise is in deep denial. This is not the way to get clean energy and more jobs here.
# 2,112:
6:35 pm PST, Nov 19,Heather Hamilton, New York
# 2,111:
6:01 pm PST, Nov 19,Doug Couchon, New York
I am angry. Allowing gas drilling in New York State is most ill-advised. It goes against everything I was taught about us being good stewards of our land and resources. I believe that in the end we would learn that the gains of this enterprise would be small as compared to the permanent human health and environmental losses we would suffer; permanent at least in terms of our lifetimes, and the lifetimes of our children, grandchildren and their children. Ban natural gas drilling in our beautiful state.
# 2,110:
4:17 pm PST, Nov 19,Kate Green, New York
# 2,109:
4:07 pm PST, Nov 19,Tonya Engst, New York
My guess is that if the people who will be purchasing the gas actually had to pay for the road repairs, the new technologies needed to make the concerns with air and water safety go away, to mitigate the time spent on creating new laws for noise control, well density, etc. that the gas would not be worth paying for. I feel that the gas companies are taking advantage of a poorly regulated situation that makes it easy to take the gas and leave the problems.
# 2,108:
3:45 pm PST, Nov 19,Name not displayed, New York
# 2,107:
3:16 pm PST, Nov 19,Naomi Kaufman, New York
The natural world is dying and companies want to ignore that. I will not support natural gas drilling as it involves unsafe procedures and the use of toxic chemicals. What will happen to the land after the drilling is complete? Why are we not investing time and energy in solar and alternative energy?
# 2,106:
2:52 pm PST, Nov 19,Scott Haag, New York
this will destroy our land permanently.
# 2,105:
1:39 pm PST, Nov 19,Anthony Smith, New York
No to drilling in Upstate!!
# 2,104:
11:27 am PST, Nov 19,Name not displayed, New York
Please do not put the health of New York State residents on the line for such risky ventures.
