Senator Krueger & Assemblymember Kavanagh Encourage East Siders to Speak Out on Hydrofracking

(New York – NY) In an effort to ensure that East Side residents have an opportunity to voice their opinions on high volume hydraulic fracturing, also known as hydrofracking, Senator Liz Krueger and Assemblymember Brian Kavanagh hosted a Speak Out on Hydrofracking on Wednesday, November 9th at Baruch College.

“The proposal to allow hydrofracking in the State of New York is one which could affect millions of residents throughout our state,” said Senator Liz Krueger. “Any risk to our clean water and air could affect everyone throughout the State. So it’s important that residents have as many opportunities as possible to voice their opinion, whether it be in support or opposition to the drilling.”

"Those present on Wednesday shared their perspectives with their elected officials and neighbors, and heard from experts on the proposal to bring enormous industrial drilling operations to New York," said Assemblymember Brian Kavanagh, a member of the Assembly's Environmental Conservation Committee, and a prime sponsor of the bill to extend the fracking moratorium. "It was clear that many East Siders have very serious concerns. We in the legislature need to continue to do everything we can to protect our environment, and particularly our air and water."

Over fifty community members attended the Speak Out, which was meant to provide an outlet to residents who may not be able to attend the Department of Environmental Conservation’s Manhattan hearings on November 30th.

Those who gave oral testimony were filmed as part of an effort to share public comments with a greater audience. Video of their testimony can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/user/HydrofrackingSpeakOu?feature=mhee.

Senator Krueger currently co-sponsors legislation that would provide greater regulation of the use of hydraulic fracturing fluids used for oil and gas drilling, including prohibiting the use of frac fluids containing chemicals that pose a risk to human health (S.425); she also co-sponsors legislation that would prohibit the use of hydraulic fracturing in the process of drilling for natural gas and/or oil (S.4220).