Momentum Builds for New York Moratorium, Despite Heavy Industry Lobbying

In New York State, the pressure is building for a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing. Last Wednesday, folk icon Pete Seeger and actor Mark Ruffalo joined health and environmental advocates to call for legislation that would delay fracking until next year and buy more time for a growing movement to raise awareness about the dangers posed by the gas extraction method. Lawmakers in both parties have come out in support of the bill, which may reach the floor in coming days.

The issue gains urgency in the wake of yet another fracking site explosion. On Friday two workers were killed when a gas well in Indiana Township, PA caught fire. The incident occurred the day after an EPA hearing south of Pittsburgh drew over a thousand people, many of whom shared their own stories of water contamination, sick livestock, and worsening health problems.

Now all eyes are on Albany. Today the New York State legislature went back into session for what might be the last time until after the fall elections. The Sweeney/Thompson bill (S8129B/A11443B), which would impose an 11-month moratorium on hydraulic fracturing, has bipartisan support in both the Senate and Assembly, but the leadership of both chambers has stalled in bringing this crucial legislation to a vote.

This may be our last chance to stop fracking in New York State. If the Sweeney/Thompson bill fails, the Department of Environmental Conservation could begin issuing fracking permits as early as August. We can’t let that happen!

We face a steep challenge; oil and gas corporations are increasing the pressure on legislators in an effort to defeat the moratorium. As the Times Herald-Record reports today, the industry has devoted more than $1 million this year to lobbying the Governor and Legislature, with $350,000 spent just since May.

Gas corporations are pinning their hopes on politics as usual, but we’ve come too far to let the industry stop us now! The wind is at our backs, but we need to make our voices heard in this final push to get a bill passed.

Call our officials in Albany and tell them to stand up to the corporate bullies. We need them to do everything they can to build and maintain support for the moratorium in the face of this threat to our water and public health.

Senate Majority Leader John Sampson 518-455-2788

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver 518-455-3791

Governor David Paterson 518-474-8390

Or click here to send them an email!

Let's make sure that New York sets a new standard for the country—one that puts our water and our future ahead of oil and gas company profits.