Statement by NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. on Release of Final Environmental Impact Statement on Hydrofracking in New York State

Queens, NY (May 14, 2015): NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., a member of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee and long-time opponent of  hydraulic fracturing in New York State, released the following statement after yesterday’s release by the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) of the Final Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement on hydrofracking:

 “After seven years, more than 260,000 public comments, an extensive scientific examination of the impacts of hydrofracking on our environment and the public health, and a full consideration of the potential benefits and shortcomings of this method of high-volume gas drilling, it appears that fracking is on its way to being completely banned in New York State. 

 “As a member of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, and simply as a New York resident who cares about the quality of our drinking water, our air, and other natural resources, I am pleased that this 2,000 page report thoughtfully and thoroughly considers all aspects of this controversial drilling technique, which blasts water, sand, and any number of unpronounceable and potentially dangerous chemicals deep into the ground to extract natural gas.

“I look forward to reviewing the legally-binding final findings statement, which must be issued by DEC Commissioner Joseph Martens within the next ten days.  While the details are extremely important here, I hope that the Commissioner’s findings will ultimately put this deeply divisive environmental issue behind us once and for all. We need to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and make greater investments in clean energy technologies that also have the potential to create new green jobs for New Yorkers and improve our state’s economy.” 

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