GOVERNOR CUOMO LAUNCHES ELECTRONIC TOWN HALL FOR NEW YORKERS TO PARTICIPATE IN STATE GOVERNMENT

September 22, 2011

State of New York | Executive Chamber
Andrew M. Cuomo | Governor
For Immediate Release: September 22, 2011

GOVERNOR CUOMO LAUNCHES ELECTRONIC TOWN HALL FOR NEW YORKERS TO PARTICIPATE IN STATE GOVERNMENT

New Website Opens Up State Government to the People; Governor, LG, and Top Commissioners to Chat Online with NY’ers

Governor Will Hold First Chat This Saturday

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today launched CitizenConnects, an online town hall to encourage New Yorkers to participate in state government and share their ideas to help shape New York’s future. The new online town hall website will feature multiple interactive platforms for New Yorkers to communicate and participate with their state government. The website will give New Yorkers unprecedented access to the workings of the executive branch as well as provide new and easy ways to participate in the ongoing activities of the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the cabinet, and top officials in the executive chamber. The website will feature a new online town hall where the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor and top commissioners and executive officials will participate in weekly online chats where they will take questions directly from New Yorkers. The Governor will hold the first chat this Saturday. To visit CitizensConnects go to http://www.citizenconnects.com.

The website will also be a portal for New Yorkers to participate in upcoming state events and activities, use social media to talk and comment on the workings of state government, and track future and past travel for the Governor and the executive branch.

“Democracy works when the voice of the people rings strong and citizens participate in government,” Governor Cuomo said. “This will be a ‘Town Hall’ in every sense. It will be an open forum for New Yorkers to interact and participate in their government; it will be a place New Yorkers can visit to communicate with their leaders and sign up for community activities; and it will allow New Yorkers to have a direct window into the workings of their government. This world is changing. New technology allows us new opportunities to communicate with the people of the state. Traditional forms of communication and information have given way to electronics. It’s time government gets up to date.”

Since taking office, Governor Cuomo has worked to open state government and make it more accessible to all New Yorkers. CitizenConnects builds on those efforts and empowers citizens with the information they need to actively participate in their state government. On his first day in office, Governor Cuomo opened up the second floor — where the Governor and his top staff have their offices — to the public after it was closed off for more than a decade. The Governor then for the first time invited the public to attend the State of the State address and traveled to communities across the state to lay out his agenda for the people. During the budget and legislative process, the Governor held dozens of public forums and presentations in every region of the state, encouraging the public to support his agenda for reform and to make government work for the people once again. As Attorney General, Governor Cuomo launched “Project Sunlight,” the state’s first-ever online database of information related to campaign finance, lobbying activity, state spending, and state contracts.

CitizenConnects is another step in the Governor’s transformational efforts to bring government to New Yorkers. CitizenConnects will be an online Town Hall and a forum for New Yorkers to communicate with his administration and their government. The website will provide unprecedented direct access to the activities of the Governor and state agencies.

On the website, New Yorkers will be able to:

  • · Participate in online town halls where New Yorkers can submit questions directly to government officials
    · Learn about and sign up to participate in upcoming state government events
    · Follow the travel of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and top officials and commissioners
    · Submit ideas and policy questions to the Governor
    · Follow the executive branch with enhanced access on Facebook and Twitter
    · Sign up to receive e-mail, Facebook, and Twitter updates
    · Access the Governor’s daily and future schedules

The first online chat will be hosted by Governor Cuomo; the second will be hosted by Superintendent Ben Lawsky who will answer questions about storm damage insurance claims and the third will be hosted by Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens who will answer questions about hydrofracking.

The site also features a calendar showing Governor Cuomo’s daily public schedule, including a map showing upcoming events, as well as places the Governor and Lieutenant Governor have visited since taking office. This feature will help New Yorkers stay informed about the Governor and Lieutenant Governor’s upcoming visits to their home towns.

Robert Freeman, Executive Director of the Committee on Open Government said, “I congratulate Governor Cuomo for taking government transparency to a new level. By providing information of importance to the public, even before anyone asks for it, the website will give New Yorkers the opportunity to know how their government serves them and offer their points of view. This is a groundbreaking effort in bringing government closer to the people.”

Russ Haven, Executive Director of the New York State Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG), said, “The ‘town hall’ web page offers a user friendly way for two-way communication between New Yorkers and the governor and his staff. Particularly at a time filled with so many challenges, the public wants to keep tabs on what public officials are up to. Through this portal the governor can boost transparency of his activities and contribute to the public’s trust in government.”

Dick Dadey, Executive Director of Citizens Union, said, “This new public access resource tool promises to bring a new level of transparency and knowledge about how the Governor is working for the people of New York.”

Lawrence Norden, Deputy Director of the Democracy Program at the Brennan Center for Justice, said, “The internet can make it easier than ever before to increase transparency and accountability in government. We’re happy to see Governor Cuomo taking this new step to further open the governor’s office to the public.”

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Additional news available at www.governor.ny.gov
New York State | Executive Chamber | press.office@exec.ny.gov | 518.474.8418

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DIrty Ol’ Town: Fort Worth, Texas, A.D. – YouTube

September 18, 2011

DIrty Ol’ Town: Fort Worth, Texas, A.D. – YouTube.

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In First Web Ad, DePasquale Talks Drilling | StateImpact Pennsylvania

September 14, 2011

In First Web Ad, DePasquale Talks Drilling | StateImpact Pennsylvania.

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Kops Freedom of the Press | Ian Urbina Cornell Oct 4. 2011

September 8, 2011

Kops Freedom of the Press | Cornell.

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Revised Draft SGEIS on the Oil, Gas and Solution Mining Regulatory Program (September 2011)

September 7, 2011

Revised Draft SGEIS on the Oil, Gas and Solution Mining Regulatory Program (September 2011)

Well Permit Issuance for Horizontal Drilling and High-Volume Hydraulic Fracturing in the Marcellus Shale and Other Low-Permeability Gas Reservoirs

DEC received more than 13,000 public comments on the Draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (SGEIS) issued in September 2009. The Draft SGEIS addresses permit conditions required for gas drilling in Marcellus Shale and other areas of the State.

In response to issues raised, DEC has prepared a Revised Draft SGEIS. As of September 7, the document is available for public review. To help those interested in understanding the issues involving horizontal drilling and high-volume hydraulic fracturing, several fact sheets are also available.

2011 Document Availability

The individual chapters of the Revised Draft SGEIS (September 2011) can be viewed as PDFs (see below). The full 2011 Revised Draft SGEIS document (PDF) (46 Mb) is available as a single PDF file. Although it is a very large file, it is downloadable and searchable.

Please note: Some of these are very large documents. Only print them if you really need to, and only those sections that you need. Double side all printing and copying jobs. For every ton of office paper use avoided, greenhouse gas emissions are reduced by more than 8 metric tons.

2011 Revised Draft SGEIS Chapters

Table of contents (PDF) (2.7 Mb)

Executive Summary (PDF) (805 kb)

  1. Introduction (PDF) (575 kb)
  2. Description of Proposed Action
  3. Proposed SEQRA Review Process (PDF) (996 kb)
  4. Geology (PDF) (4.2 Mb)
  5. Natural Gas Development Activities and High-Volume Hydraulic Fracturing (PDF) (5.2 Mb)
  6. Potential Environmental Impacts
  7. Mitigation Measures (PDF) (2.8 Mb)
  8. Permit Process and Regulatory Coordination (PDF) (1.4 Mb)
  9. Alternative Actions (PDF) (990 kb)
  10. Review of Selected Non-Routine Incidents in Pennsylvania (PDF) (498 kb)
  11. Summary of Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures (PDF) (711 kb)

Glossary and Bibliographies (PDF) (1.7 Mb)

Appendices 1 through 14 (PDF) (3.0 Mb)

Appendix 15 (PDF) (6.8 Mb)

Appendices 16 though 27 (PDF) (4.5 Mb)

Socio-economic Impact Analysis Report, Ecology and Environment, P.C. (E & E)

Ecology and Environment Engineering, P.C. prepared the Socio-economic Impact Analysis as a technical consulting report in support of the revised draft SGEIS. The Socio-economic Impact Analysis (PDF) (4.0 Mb) is available for download as a single PDF file

Public Comment Period

Written comments will be accepted through the close of business December 12, 2011 by two methods only:

  • Electronic submission using a web-based comment form available on DEC’s website (preferred method); or
  • Paper submission mailed or delivered to: Attn: dSGEIS Comments, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 625 Broadway,Albany, NY 12233-6510. Please include the name, address, and affiliation (if any) of the commenter. Paper submissions also will be accepted at the public hearings listed below.

Due to the expected volume, comments that are faxed, telephoned, or emailed to the DEC will not be accepted for the official record. This is to ensure that all comments are captured properly and can be included during the review process. Please use DEC’s web-based comment form to provide your input.

Public Hearings

DEC plans to hold four public hearings during the comment period for the SGEIS and regulations in November. The meetings will be held in counties in the Marcellus Shale area, as well as New York City. Dates and locations will be announced shortly.

Supplemental Documents

Press Conference Webcast

DEC Commissioner Joe Martens held a press conference on July 1, 2011 to explain the preliminary revised draft SGEIS. A webcast is available for viewing. (Leaving DEC’s website)

Assistance

For further information or assistance with these documents, please contact the DEC’s Bureau of Public Outreach by email at public@gw.dec.state.ny.us or by calling 518-402-8044.

More about Revised Draft SGEIS on the Oil, Gas and Solution Mining Regulatory Program (September 2011):

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Central New York Denied Fracking Hearings

September 7, 2011

Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation

2013 East Genesee St. F Syracuse, NY 13210 ~  (315) 472-5478

noon@peacecouncil.net  ~  www.peacecouncil.net/noon

N E W S     R E L E A S E

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  September 7, 2011

For more information:
Jack Ramsden, Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation, 315-424-1454

 

Central New York Denied Fracking Hearings

 

Public Outraged at Being Shut Out of New York State’s Hearing Process

on Dirty Gas Drilling

(Syracuse, NY)—Governor Cuomo and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today released New York State’s draft fracking guidelines (officially known as the Revised Draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement or “SGEIS”) and announced a public hearing schedule that does not include Central New York.  Representatives of ShaleshockCNY and residents concerned about the environmental impacts of dirty gas drilling and hydraulic fracturing or “fracking,” are outraged that New York State does not plan to hold public hearings in the area, despite longstanding local interest and potential impacts.

“Residents of towns throughout Central New York are worried about the impacts of fracking and with good reason. All you need to do is look at what’s happened in Pennsylvania to know fracking is dangerous,” said Mary Menapace, a Skaneateles resident and member of ShaleshockCNY.  “Towns throughout CNY have a direct stake in how our state leaders decide to oversee fracking, as evidenced by the outpouring of effort by local citizens and town officials to enact safeguards in advance.  We’re concerned not just about fracking, but frack fluid disposal, truck traffic, water withdrawals, and the potential for gas, equipment, or chemical storage on the properties of landowners who signed boilerplate leases.  People here had no idea what they were signing, and need strong protection.”

Earlier this month, 76 organizations, including ShaleshockCNY and Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation, released a letter to Governor Cuomo and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Martens calling for a 180-day comment period along with public hearings in at least the same four areas where the agency held hearings on its 2009 draft fracking document—Binghamton, Sullivan County, New York City and Delaware County. The letter also called on state leaders to hold hearings in as many of the communities likely to be affected by fracking as possible, including but not limited to, places like Onondaga County.  Over 1900 parcels have been leased to gas companies by landowners in Onondaga County, according to research by the Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation.

“We’re planning on holding a ‘SGEIS Study Session’ as part of our Evening of Fracking at the Palace Theater in Syracuse on Wednesday, September 21st,” explained Lindsay Speer, a community organizer who works with environmental groups on behalf of the Onondaga Nation, including ShaleshockCNY.   “While people will have the opportunity to talk about their concerns and work on their comments on the SGEIS there, we also need a real public hearing.  Public hearings are part of the democratic process and help make sure our concerns about fracking are recorded and delivered.”

To frack a gas well, millions of gallons of water, sand, and toxic chemicals are pumped deep underground at high pressure. This fractures the rock that has trapped the gas for millennia and allows it to escape. From start to finish, gas development that relies on fracking is an industrial process that threatens our water. State after state, from Wyoming to Pennsylvania, has documented its dangers. New York can’t afford to put short-term gas profits ahead of the long-term health of our water and our communities.

-30-

ShaleshockCNY is part of the greater Shaleshock Action Alliance, a movement that works toward protecting our communities and environment from exploitative gas drilling. ShaleshockCNY aims to bring together the variety of people and groups working on the issue of hydrofracking so that we can share information and work to protect our communities.

Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation (NOON) is a grassroots organization of Central New Yorkers which recognizes and supports the sovereignty of the traditional government of the Onondaga Nation.  NOON supports, and collaborates with, the Onondaga Nation in their initiatives to promote environmental healing and restore respectful relationships between the governments of our Nations.

—
Lindsay Speer
Community Organizer
lspeer@mrss.com

716 E. Washington Street
Syracuse, NY 13210

315.475.2559 (work)
315.383.7210 (cell)
315.475.2465 (fax)

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Sept. 6 Dryden 7:30 pm Water and Energy Development

September 6, 2011

“Water and Energy Development”

WhenWed, September 7, 7:30pm – 8:30pm
Where Village of Dryden (map)
Description “Water and Energy Development” Wednesday, September 7th Public Education Forum Series All Viewpoints Invited Dave Vieser, WHCU, Moderator Speakers: Bill Kappel, US Geological Survey, https://profile.usgs.gov/wkappel/ Chip Northrup, former gas/oil industry planning manager, http://vimeo.com/14295502 Representative from Chesapeake Representative from IOGA Wednesday, September 7, 7:30 – 9:00 P.M. Neptune Company Fire House Route 13 (just north of the traffic light), Village of Dryden

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Exclusive: Chesapeake CEO McClendon cashes in on well deals | Reuters

August 21, 2011

Exclusive: Chesapeake CEO McClendon cashes in on well deals | Reuters.

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Ban high-volume slickwater hydrofracking in Town of Groton

August 16, 2011

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/ban-high-volume-slickwater-hydrofracking-in-groton-town.html

Please – only Groton residents are asked to sign. If you know someone in Groton please pass this message along.

Ban high-volume slickwater hydrofracking in Town of Groton

 8 Signatures 

Published by Sharon Kahkonen on Aug 15, 2011
Target: Groton Town Board in Groton, New York
Share now:
Background (Preamble):
Neither the federal Environmental Protection Agency, nor the New York Department of Environmental Conservation has stepped forward to protect the people from the plundering of our resources, poisoning our water, crowding and damaging our roads, ruining our beautiful landscapes, and threatening our agriculture and tourism caused by industrialized gas extraction.Can our local government step in and fill the gap? We propose that the Town Board of Groton, New York enact a total ban on the technique known as high-volume slick water, hydraulic fracturing for gas extraction.
Petition:
We believe that high-volume slickwater hydrofracking for gas extraction threatens our water, our air, and ultimately our safety.We believe that allowing this practice in our community will significantly endanger our health and well-being. Hydrofracking is a heavily industrialized process that in surrounding states has severely snarled traffic and damaged local agriculture, hunting, fishing, tourism, roads, and community economies.We urge the Town of Groton to ban high-volume slickwater hydrofracking, including water withdrawal, materials trucking, and drilling waste disposal.

The Ban high-volume slickwater hydrofracking in Town of Groton petition to Groton Town Board in Groton, New York was written by Sharon Kahkonen and is in the category Environment at GoPetition. Contact author here. Petition tags: , ,

Tell | Map | Signatures | Forum | <a title=”This petition has been viewed 81 times and has 8 signatures.” rel=”tooltip”>Views | Bookmark | Banners | Link | Tip Jar | Sponsor

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AAA Aug. 12, 2011 8:10 PM ET Federal judge throws out Obama drilling rulesociated Press

August 14, 2011

STLtoday – Associated Press.

AAA  Aug. 12, 2011 8:10 PM ET
Federal judge throws out Obama drilling rules

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