We’ve been fighting against fracking for two years. We’ve won a temporary moratorium. But now it’s coming down to the wire.
The Department of Environmental Conservation has written their draft environmental impact report. If approved, it would open the door to allow the frackers to start drilling. Once the drills start – and once those chemicals get into our ground water – that’s it.
The deadline to submit public comments on the DEC’s study is today, January 11. They have to read each and every comment – and they’ve already received more than 21,000.
There’s just one day left to make our voices heard at the DEC. It’s easy, and we’ll walk you through the process.
The DEC’s environmental impact study is full of holes, omissions, contradictions and loopholes. Here are a few:
- It prohibits drilling within 500 feet of a primary groundwater sources, but also reassures the gas industry that they would still be allowed to drill under such aquifers.
- It admits that it is state policy to prevent water pollution, but still allows a process that the EPA has found can contaminate groundwater in other parts of the country.
- The study fails to acknowledge that fracking chemicals can cause health problems — but it also concedes that the Department of Health “would incur costs from investigating possible public health issues.”
Momentum is on our side. Just this week, a group of prominent scientists called for a national fracking moratorium until the health effects have been fully studied. [1] And last month, celebrity chef Mario Batali joined bakers, farmers and vintners from across the state in opposition to fracking, because polluted water would make our food inedible.[2]
The underground natural gas isn’t going anywhere. So why the rush? The giant oil and gas corporations aren’t interested in what’s safe, they’re interested in what makes money.
This is our best chance to stop hydrofracking before it’s too late. But we need your help right now.
http://action.workingfamiliesparty.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=5247
The DEC’s public comment period ends today. Please take three minutes to submit your comments. We’ll walk you through the process and provide sample comments and talking points for you.
Even if you’ve never submitted official public comment before, this is the time to do it.
Thanks for your support,
-Dan Cantor, WFP
Sources:
1. http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-01-09/health-effects-of-fracking-need-study-says-cdc-scientist.html
2. http://www.thirteen.org/metrofocus/news/2012/01/nyc-chefs-dont-frack-with-our-ingredients/
