New York Subpoenas Energy Companies Over Claims About Gas Wells – NYTimes.com
August 18, 2011
New York Subpoenas Energy Companies Over Claims About Gas Wells – NYTimes.com.
Cortland County Not Ready For Hydro-Fracking
August 18, 2011
Cortland County Not Ready For Hydro-Fracking
Last Edited: 2011-08-18 08:20:06 Story ID: 4151
Cortland County health officials say the county is woefully unprepared to handle the impacts of Hydro fracking.
On Tuesday night the county natural gas task force met to talk about the health issues that may arise as a result of increased natural gas drilling activities in New York.
While most of the concerns raised in connection with hydro fracking center around water, including protection of drinking water supplies and managing the waste water that is used in fracking. Local health officials say they are more concerned about impacts on air quality.
Deputy County public health director M.J Uttech says studies from other States including Texas and Colorado have shown residents are much more susceptible to changes in air quality before water becomes an issue, especially children.
Uttech says the county and the region are not equipped to conduct the air monitoring that will be required with the increased natural gas exploration.
Uttech says the county will likely have to add staff to the health department in order to respond to the wave of environmental complaints that will filed related to the gas drilling activities.
Among other health issues raised at the meeting are the expected impacts from the increased number of people that will come into the area as part of the drilling camps. Uttech says this presents a different set of problems including increased crime, new diseases, higher housing costs, and stress to the communities established way of life.
At this point the State is continuing to review the rules governing hydro fracking, the amended rules are expected out next year, when complete the state may begin issuing drilling permits.
Cortland Environmental Committe Urges Ban on Drilling Waste Water
August 18, 2011
Cortland Environmental Committe Urges Ban on Drilling Waste Water
Last Edited: 2011-08-17 11:09:30 Story ID: 4149
Cortland City lawmakers are considering a local law that would ban the City from accepting waste by products from natural gas drilling operations at the City’s wastewater treatment plant.
Last night the City council discussed a proposal form the City’s environmental advisory committee that would prohibit the wastewater from drilling at the treatment plant.
Frank Kelley of the Environmental committee says there are concerns over the facilities ability to treat the various chemicals and compounds that may be in the drilling waste, as well as the impact the discharge may have on the Tioughnioga river.
Members of the committee suggested that the law should be expanded to cover all waste including pretreated waste water from drilling, but City Waste Water plant operator Bruce Adams said he would refuse any material he didn’t feel was acceptable at the plant and the council should leave some flexibility in the law.
The law is subject to a public hearing on September 6th, the council would then have to vote on the measure.
The Capitol Pressroom for August 8, 2011 | WCNY Blogs
August 11, 2011
The Capitol Pressroom for August 8, 2011 | WCNY Blogs.
Could sealed lawsuits hold data that could alter how the scientific community views fracking and its affect on ground water? We discuss the topic and what it could mean for New York with Catskill Mountainkeeper Program Director Wes Gillingham and Dusty Horwitt, Senior Counsel for the Environmental Working Group.
And we remember Hugh Carey with friends and colleagues from Albany and New Year. Dr. Len Cutler, the Chairman of the Center for the Study of Government and Politics at Siena College navigates us through some of the high points of Carey’s life.
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