NYS SENATOR JOSEPH P. ADDABBO, JR. STATEMENT ON BILL BEING PASSED TO HALT DRILLING IN UPSTATE WATERSHED

Queens, NY, August 4, 2010 – NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr.,
a co-sponsor of the Senate bill (S8129B) calling for a moratorium
on hydrofracking, or drilling for natural gas reserves in the upstate
watershed, today issued the following statement on the bill’s passage after
being brought to the floor for a vote last night:   

"I believe this bill, which provides for a nine-month moratorium,
provides a rational, prudent approach to the practice of hydrofracking.
This drilling process has possible short- and long-term health and safety
implications and is the subject of a pending DEC report, which needs to be
reviewed and evaluated. I look forward to working with the DEC on this
issue as we seek to avoid any risks to our environment and personal
safety. I thank my constituents for bringing this issue to my attention
last year. I also want to thank the hundreds of residents across New York
who signed petitions, wrote letters and attended rallies to show Albany
that we needed hydrofracking legislation.  Your voices were heard and
together, we have taken the first step toward protecting our drinking water."

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