BAN NATURAL GAS DRILLING IN NEW YORK STATE
Target:
Governor Paterson, DEC Commissioner Peter Grannis, State Senate, State Assembly, DEC dSGEIS Comments
Sponsored by:
Don't Frack New York!
Paper Version of the Petition
List of Organizations Supporting a NYS Ban
**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!
Don't Frack New York!
Paper Version of the Petition
List of Organizations Supporting a NYS Ban
**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.
Sincerely,
The Petition Signers
and over 50 organizations from across the United States
We signed the "BAN NATURAL GAS DRILLING IN NEW YORK STATE" petition!
# 3,896:
7:07 pm PST, Feb 9,
Norma Lee Havens, New York
Water is essential for life. Why would anyone ever support anything short of absolute protection of our water system? We need to defend ourselves from the method of hydrofracking which is used in natural gas discovery and production. I strongly urge our Governor to ban natural gas drilling in New York State. Norma Lee Havens
Water is essential for life. Why would anyone ever support anything short of absolute protection of our water system? We need to defend ourselves from the method of hydrofracking which is used in natural gas discovery and production. I strongly urge our Governor to ban natural gas drilling in New York State. Norma Lee Havens
# 3,895:
7:06 am PST, Feb 9,
Craig Ephraim, New York
# 3,894:
5:48 am PST, Feb 9,
Michele Howland, New York
Governor Patterson, Please listen to the residents here in the Finger Lakes Region who are opposed to hydrofracking and also the disposal of its waste products in our area. This is an area of natural beauty and a tourist area that is critical to our economy. We also depend solely on the Finger Lakes for our drinking water supply. Thank you. M. Howland, Penn Yan, NY
Governor Patterson, Please listen to the residents here in the Finger Lakes Region who are opposed to hydrofracking and also the disposal of its waste products in our area. This is an area of natural beauty and a tourist area that is critical to our economy. We also depend solely on the Finger Lakes for our drinking water supply. Thank you. M. Howland, Penn Yan, NY
# 3,893:
5:44 am PST, Feb 9,
Patrick Waara, New York
# 3,892:
11:40 pm PST, Feb 8,
Richard Hollister, Arizona
# 3,891:
11:05 pm PST, Feb 8,
James Ewanco, New York
Greed is not a reason to ruin our water and land.
Greed is not a reason to ruin our water and land.
# 3,890:
10:06 pm PST, Feb 8,
Janet Cook, New York
# 3,889:
8:53 pm PST, Feb 8,
Name not displayed, New York
Please do not allow them to drill for big short term profits, and leave us with the clean up by added taxes afterward, and without any regard for the safety and well being of our citizens, and the preservation our beautiful scenery of the great state of New York.
Please do not allow them to drill for big short term profits, and leave us with the clean up by added taxes afterward, and without any regard for the safety and well being of our citizens, and the preservation our beautiful scenery of the great state of New York.
# 3,888:
8:38 pm PST, Feb 8,
Name not displayed, California
Dear Governor, PLEASE do not allow this industry to pollute the region. I may live in California temporarily, but Keuka will always be my home. You must not allow this aquifer and landscape to be destroyed...
Dear Governor, PLEASE do not allow this industry to pollute the region. I may live in California temporarily, but Keuka will always be my home. You must not allow this aquifer and landscape to be destroyed...
# 3,887:
8:31 pm PST, Feb 8,
Jordan Gremli, New York
# 3,886:
7:42 pm PST, Feb 8,
Name not displayed, New York
Does anyone really know what will happen to the water supply 10 years from now after the drillers all leave...
Does anyone really know what will happen to the water supply 10 years from now after the drillers all leave...
# 3,885:
7:22 pm PST, Feb 8,
Devon Roblee, New York
# 3,884:
7:13 pm PST, Feb 8,
Helen DeNero, New York
Governor Paterson, It is incumbent upon you to protect our state and our Finger Lakes. These lakes contain 25% of the world's fresh water. Do not let big business dictate our environment and the future of this state. I have been a big supporter of you. Please do not let us down now.
Governor Paterson, It is incumbent upon you to protect our state and our Finger Lakes. These lakes contain 25% of the world's fresh water. Do not let big business dictate our environment and the future of this state. I have been a big supporter of you. Please do not let us down now.
# 3,883:
7:06 pm PST, Feb 8,
Joanne Cooney, New York
Water, wine and tourism are the major strengths of upstate NY. Please protect them from the chemically poisoned water from fracking. There is not process to deal with this and the gas companies are exempt from the clean air and water act. We don't want them!
Water, wine and tourism are the major strengths of upstate NY. Please protect them from the chemically poisoned water from fracking. There is not process to deal with this and the gas companies are exempt from the clean air and water act. We don't want them!
# 3,882:
6:58 pm PST, Feb 8,
Jeffrey Koff, New York
I just attended a town hall meeting in Pulteney New York concerning the potential storage of hydrofracturing waste water in an old mine in town. I learned that the contents of the water will include brine (which I expected) as well as a series of acids, hydrocarbons, metals, oxides, ethylene glycol, sulfates, ethers, and enzymes (which I had not expected). I am really concerned that all aspects of hydrofracturing are quite new. I believe that our storage regulations were written before hydrofracturing was ever entertained. I also believe that we do not have sufficient understanding of local aquifers. We need more time to understand how to protect our water and environment before we allow waste water storage to commence. We have seen other areas initiate hydrofracturing and consequently create environmental problems that become beyond their ability to clean up. I know we can do better. Taking the time now to understand how to manage our energy and environmental resources for the future clearly makes sense, rushing head first into this does not.
I just attended a town hall meeting in Pulteney New York concerning the potential storage of hydrofracturing waste water in an old mine in town. I learned that the contents of the water will include brine (which I expected) as well as a series of acids, hydrocarbons, metals, oxides, ethylene glycol, sulfates, ethers, and enzymes (which I had not expected). I am really concerned that all aspects of hydrofracturing are quite new. I believe that our storage regulations were written before hydrofracturing was ever entertained. I also believe that we do not have sufficient understanding of local aquifers. We need more time to understand how to protect our water and environment before we allow waste water storage to commence. We have seen other areas initiate hydrofracturing and consequently create environmental problems that become beyond their ability to clean up. I know we can do better. Taking the time now to understand how to manage our energy and environmental resources for the future clearly makes sense, rushing head first into this does not.
# 3,881:
3:11 pm PST, Feb 8,
Claudia Anzalone, New York
# 3,880:
2:02 pm PST, Feb 8,
Nancy Rees, New York
I am strongly opposed to using hydraulic fracturing for gas wells in NYS given the environmental issues with the current technology. I ask that you issue a moratorium for the ENTIRE state, not just the NYC area. The risks to our water supply and environment far outweigh any financial benefit. As a homeowner on Keuka Lake, one of the pure and beautiful Finger Lakes, I am also strongly opposed to the proposal by Chesapeake Energy Corporation to store waste from hydraulic fracturing in an old gas well in the Town of Pulteney. The truck traffic, damage to the tourism, agriculture, and wine industries, risk of environmental disaster, and other long-term environmental concerns are unacceptable. Declare a moratorium now. Demonstrate your leadership for current and future generations of New Yorkers.
I am strongly opposed to using hydraulic fracturing for gas wells in NYS given the environmental issues with the current technology. I ask that you issue a moratorium for the ENTIRE state, not just the NYC area. The risks to our water supply and environment far outweigh any financial benefit. As a homeowner on Keuka Lake, one of the pure and beautiful Finger Lakes, I am also strongly opposed to the proposal by Chesapeake Energy Corporation to store waste from hydraulic fracturing in an old gas well in the Town of Pulteney. The truck traffic, damage to the tourism, agriculture, and wine industries, risk of environmental disaster, and other long-term environmental concerns are unacceptable. Declare a moratorium now. Demonstrate your leadership for current and future generations of New Yorkers.
# 3,879:
12:32 pm PST, Feb 8,
Name not displayed, New York
# 3,878:
9:56 am PST, Feb 8,
Name not displayed, New York
# 3,877:
9:25 am PST, Feb 8,
Thomas Ellis, Virginia
There are some things more important than corporate greed. One of them is the magnificent pastoral beauty of upstate New York! For crying out loud, don't turn every last acre of that magnificent landscape into a toxic waste dump!
There are some things more important than corporate greed. One of them is the magnificent pastoral beauty of upstate New York! For crying out loud, don't turn every last acre of that magnificent landscape into a toxic waste dump!
# 3,876:
8:53 am PST, Feb 8,
Marilyn Pettinga, New York
# 3,875:
7:37 am PST, Feb 8,
K Schoening, New Mexico
I used to live in upstate NY, and would be very sad to see such a beautiful place exploited like this. Upstate definitely needs economic development, but only if it comes in a way that will be good for the residents of the area, their health and well-being. This is not the answer.
I used to live in upstate NY, and would be very sad to see such a beautiful place exploited like this. Upstate definitely needs economic development, but only if it comes in a way that will be good for the residents of the area, their health and well-being. This is not the answer.
# 3,874:
7:35 am PST, Feb 8,
Margo Fernandez, New York
The risk factor far is too great..there is no gain. There are other avenues that must be pursued for job creation and economic gain far cleaner and environmentally responsible.Our beautiful countryside and quality of life can't be taken by the highest bidder. Say No to hydrofracking and pursuit of fossil fuels period..we have to do better than that.
The risk factor far is too great..there is no gain. There are other avenues that must be pursued for job creation and economic gain far cleaner and environmentally responsible.Our beautiful countryside and quality of life can't be taken by the highest bidder. Say No to hydrofracking and pursuit of fossil fuels period..we have to do better than that.
# 3,873:
7:20 am PST, Feb 8,
Kenneth Fogarty, New York
# 3,872:
5:15 am PST, Feb 8,
Mark Barta, New York
Save the water for our children please .
Save the water for our children please .
# 3,871:
5:04 am PST, Feb 8,
Name not displayed, New York
We need energy conservation and renewable energy, not more exploitation and despoiling of our environment. Thanks.
We need energy conservation and renewable energy, not more exploitation and despoiling of our environment. Thanks.
# 3,870:
4:33 am PST, Feb 8,
Name not displayed, New York
Don't let them defile our state!
Don't let them defile our state!
# 3,869:
4:31 am PST, Feb 8,
Cathy McNulty, New York
I would like there to be more time to study all the impacts to my area before drilling is permitted. There definitely needs to be more oversight at drilling sights which means more DEC people to do that written into regs. Also I'm afraid of injection wells contaminating the water. Also the drilling itself on the outside of the pipes form conduits for gas and other contaminants to get into aquifers.
I would like there to be more time to study all the impacts to my area before drilling is permitted. There definitely needs to be more oversight at drilling sights which means more DEC people to do that written into regs. Also I'm afraid of injection wells contaminating the water. Also the drilling itself on the outside of the pipes form conduits for gas and other contaminants to get into aquifers.
# 3,868:
3:46 am PST, Feb 8,
Gregory Meredith, New York
# 3,867:
4:22 pm PST, Feb 7,
Tricia Larzelere, New York
Our future depends on living and working in a beautiful state and in a state of health. Hydrofracking would bring short term income with long term expense and disability for NYS' environment, economy and people. Do not allow hydrofracking! Turn to solar for our health and wealth!
Our future depends on living and working in a beautiful state and in a state of health. Hydrofracking would bring short term income with long term expense and disability for NYS' environment, economy and people. Do not allow hydrofracking! Turn to solar for our health and wealth!
# 3,866:
11:36 am PST, Feb 7,
Sylvia Wulf, New York
This cannot be allowed! All the jobs and potential income will not help when much of the Hudson Valley is uninhabitable due to poisoned water and land. Anyone living in the region will see property values disappear between the pollution, noise, and destruction of land and water. Who will buy our property when the wells are contaminated - the drilling firms? Unlikely! This has got to stop before it starts before we become like those poor folks in Pennsylvania who can light the water from their taps and cannot use their land, but cannot sell it either.
This cannot be allowed! All the jobs and potential income will not help when much of the Hudson Valley is uninhabitable due to poisoned water and land. Anyone living in the region will see property values disappear between the pollution, noise, and destruction of land and water. Who will buy our property when the wells are contaminated - the drilling firms? Unlikely! This has got to stop before it starts before we become like those poor folks in Pennsylvania who can light the water from their taps and cannot use their land, but cannot sell it either.
# 3,865:
11:28 am PST, Feb 7,
Name not displayed, New York
We moved to the country to escape the noise, traffic and smells of the city. I don't want it in my backyard.
We moved to the country to escape the noise, traffic and smells of the city. I don't want it in my backyard.
# 3,864:
11:25 am PST, Feb 7,
Name not displayed, New York
After years of cleaning up the messes left by so called "safe" business practices in our area, are we really ready to start all over again?
After years of cleaning up the messes left by so called "safe" business practices in our area, are we really ready to start all over again?
# 3,863:
10:44 am PST, Feb 7,
Laurel Lindewall, New York
This is the most dangerous, most unacceptable proposal I've come across in many years. It is demented, and just shows the very ill political state of our nation. Gas companies destroying the beautiful and world renowned Catskill State Park, destoying our water...NEVER! We must and we will stop this atrocity from moving forward. The people promoting it need to be shipped offshore, or perhaps to the Nether-regions of Alaska with that hopelessly manipulative, stupid and nature-hating Palin woman.
This is the most dangerous, most unacceptable proposal I've come across in many years. It is demented, and just shows the very ill political state of our nation. Gas companies destroying the beautiful and world renowned Catskill State Park, destoying our water...NEVER! We must and we will stop this atrocity from moving forward. The people promoting it need to be shipped offshore, or perhaps to the Nether-regions of Alaska with that hopelessly manipulative, stupid and nature-hating Palin woman.
# 3,862:
8:47 am PST, Feb 7,
Mia Ciambra, California
# 3,861:
6:26 am PST, Feb 7,
Yolanda Riggle, New York
I can't believe that this is even being considered.
I can't believe that this is even being considered.
# 3,860:
4:20 pm PST, Feb 6,
Name not displayed, New York
# 3,859:
8:19 am PST, Feb 6,
Name not displayed, New York
# 3,858:
6:23 am PST, Feb 6,
Gita Devi, New York
# 3,857:
4:09 pm PST, Feb 5,
Name not displayed, New York
Industrialized Dairy Industry has already fouled my surface enjoyment of my home. I do not want hydrofracking to destroy the ground beneath my feet or further contaminate the waters beneath the surface. No drilling.
Industrialized Dairy Industry has already fouled my surface enjoyment of my home. I do not want hydrofracking to destroy the ground beneath my feet or further contaminate the waters beneath the surface. No drilling.
# 3,856:
3:21 pm PST, Feb 5,
Roseanne Demaria, New York
todays water is tomorrows gold. it must be kept clean, our very survival depends on it.
todays water is tomorrows gold. it must be kept clean, our very survival depends on it.
# 3,855:
2:11 pm PST, Feb 5,
Anya Tikka, New York
Instead of taking immediate irreversible (perhaps) risks with fracking for natural gas the resources should be directed toward developing new, safe technologies to drill for this important domestic energy source. It could be a win win situation for US energy independence and for economically challenged rural areas where Marcellus Shale lies. BUT there's a need to wait for those new safe techniques. USA is full of geniuses who can find a safe way to get to the gas, no doubt!
Instead of taking immediate irreversible (perhaps) risks with fracking for natural gas the resources should be directed toward developing new, safe technologies to drill for this important domestic energy source. It could be a win win situation for US energy independence and for economically challenged rural areas where Marcellus Shale lies. BUT there's a need to wait for those new safe techniques. USA is full of geniuses who can find a safe way to get to the gas, no doubt!
# 3,854:
1:40 pm PST, Feb 5,
Ron Herrgesell, New York
Water is life! It is not to be used to pollute our land, air, and personal well-being. Once used for fracking, it is of no value for human life. Shortages of water exist in the world and even here in the US, where caution in use and rationing exist in parts of the Southwest. Preserve life, and do not waste this valuable resource. Thank you. Ron Herrgesell SSG USAR (ret.), Ecuador 64-66
Water is life! It is not to be used to pollute our land, air, and personal well-being. Once used for fracking, it is of no value for human life. Shortages of water exist in the world and even here in the US, where caution in use and rationing exist in parts of the Southwest. Preserve life, and do not waste this valuable resource. Thank you. Ron Herrgesell SSG USAR (ret.), Ecuador 64-66
# 3,853:
9:45 am PST, Feb 5,
Name not displayed, New York
We can use renewable sources of energy if we'd only pass the Feed-in Tariff bill!
We can use renewable sources of energy if we'd only pass the Feed-in Tariff bill!
# 3,852:
6:00 am PST, Feb 5,
Thomas LaBarr, New York
We need safe clean drinking water more than we need the natural gas! We also need to protect the Delaware River from all types of pollution.
We need safe clean drinking water more than we need the natural gas! We also need to protect the Delaware River from all types of pollution.
# 3,851:
6:08 pm PST, Feb 4,
Jay Lynch, New York
Keep your frack'n, grubby paws off of our water!
Keep your frack'n, grubby paws off of our water!
