After Congress Gutted Propane Market Reform, Industry Doubles Down on Secretive Storage Plan – DC BureauDC Bureau
March 17, 2015
Cortlandville Propane Facility
October 21, 2014
Attached is a map with a green dot showing the location of the proposed propane facility.
The blue lines show the aquifer boundary and the purple shaded area is the floodplain.
Preble Takes a Stand
March 14, 2014
A model for other Cortland Co. towns? There are actually over 200 NY towns/cities/counties that have imposed bans or moratoria on various aspects of fossil fuel extraction, production, transportation and infrastructure. Except for very specific bans on selling municipal water and processing fracking waste at the Cortland’s municipal treatment plant, this is the first ban in Cortland County and one of the most comprehensive state-wide. This ban is based on the town’s comprehensive plan and on a revision of the zoning code, local and external legal and technical consultation and extensive official and citizen participation.
Preble’s ban recognizes that the threats to its agricultural and rural character extend far beyond the drilling of gas wells because explosive fossil fuels require massive industrialization–pipelines, storage facilities, surface transportation by trucks and rail, compressors, etc. Even if the NY hydrofracking ban remains in place, the fossil fuel infrastructure will continue to expand.
Concerns go beyond “worry” about water contamination, explosions, health dangers, economic boom and bust and destruction of existing economies. Research from PA, CO, TX and other heavily industrialized fossil fuel production areas is providing proof that these impacts are real and significant. This week’s fatal gas main explosion in New York City reminds us that continuing to rely on fossil fuels and our aging infrastructure is a dead end.
LNG expansion in NY–regulations
October 17, 2013
DEC has Quietly Proposed New, Weak Rules for LNG Facilities
The Public Comment Period ends November 4
Come learn: * how to submit comments * what points to make in your comments
Keith Schue with Sandra Steingraber
and the “Return of 30 Days” Website
When: Wednesday, Oct. 23, 7 pm Where: First Unitarian Church, Ithaca 306 N. Aurora Street, on the NW Corner with E. Buffalo
Map:
http://unitarian.ithaca.ny.us/Newcomers/How-to-find-us Reception: Enjoy homemade snacks and conversation following the program More Info: Sandy Podulka, email: sgp4@cornell.edu
Background: Despite a moratorium on high-volume hydraulic fracturing, the New York Department of Conservation (DEC) is quickly and quietly trying to adopt new rules for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities that would pave the way for fracking, threaten communities, and make us more dependent on fossil fuel. We must fight this new threat!
Keith Schue and Sandra Steingraber have scrutinized the regulations. They will present their analyses of the weaknesses and provide fodder for your comments to DEC.
The new permitting regulations (6 NYCRR 570) allow a wide range of LNG facilities, including: – LNG import/export terminals – peak-shaving plants that produce/store/vaporize LNG – regional LNG production facilities – LNG production at natural gas wells – LNG production at facilities with access to a natural gas pipeline, and – LNG fueling facilities without on-site production of LNG
The so-called regulations provide: –no setbacks from homes or businesses –no restrictions on noise –no requirement to follow local ordinances and zoning regulations –no limits on emissions of air pollutants, such as methane –no rules to monitor or report air pollution emissions –no limits on environmental damage allowed by the facilities
Furthermore, the companies don’t have to post bonds to cover the costs of accidents to the environment, people, or property, or to close the facilities when they are no longer of use. This leaves the taxpayers to foot the bill.
More Information on Commenting:
DEC web page with info on how to submit comments: http://www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/93069.html
Wiki-page by Chip Northrup and Keith Shue, on what comments to make: http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/New_York_LNG_regulations The Return of 30 Days: Infrastructure Regs: http://www.thirtydaysoffrackingregs.com/index.php –web page by Sandra Steingraber giving background on a different comment to make each day between now and Nov. 4
Syracuse Frackdown: Rally Against Fracking Infrastructure at DEC Meeting
The NYS DEC is considering regulations and permits for proposed Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities in New York State. This is just one example of a massive fracking infrastructure build out in the state. Nat Gas pipelines, compressor stations, wastewater treatment, powerplant conversions, the LPG storage facility in Seneca Lake and now LNG export facilities are in the works and are all a part of the attempt to bring fracking into the state.
Frack Action, New Yorkers Against Fracking, Physicians Scientists & Engineers for Healthy Energy, and ShaleShockCNY called a press conference and rally ahead of the DEC’s information session on DEC’s proposed permitting program for the siting, construction, and operation of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities. The DEC public meeting and the press conference were had at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, NY on October 16, 2013. This event was also a part of the Global Frackdown, a global day (and week) of action against fracking. Learn more here: http://www.globalfrackdown.org/
Speaking at the press conference were Renee Vogelsang of Frack Action; Keith Schue (5:18), a former engineer with experience in policy and regulatory review; Mary Menapace (13:11), a nurse at Upstate Medical; active with ShaleShockCNY; Dr. Sandra Steingraber (16:20), internationally acclaimed author, biologist, and distinguished school in residence at Ithaca College; Joe Heath (22:01), General Counsel for the Onondaga Nation, affiliated with many grassroots organizations in the region including Stop the I-81 Pipeline.
Background:
There has been a de facto moratorium on LNG facilities since a catastrophic LNG blast on Staten Island over 40 years ago that killed 37 workers. Construction of new LNG facilities was expressly prohibited statewide by law after that explosion, but except in New York City, where a moratorium remains in effect until 2015, the legislative prohibition on LNG facilities ended in 1999. However, a “de facto” statewide ban still exists because DEC has not yet established a permitting program.
DEC’s rule making must be in accord with New York Environmental Conservation Law ECL Article 23 Title 17 for Liquified Natural and Petroleum Gas. DEC’s proposed rules are woefully inadequate and fail to address what is mandated for rule making. For details of these severe short comings, see New York LNG regulations on SourceWatch.org. To learn and respond with pubic comments on DEC’s LNG rules, as well as the related FERC (federal) review on Natural Gas Storage), and the Post Ambrose Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) port near the entrance to New York Harbor, check out “The Return of 30 Days: The Infrastructure Regs” thirtydaysoffrackingregs.com.
DEC will be holding a second information session followed by a public hearing in Albany on October 30. Details below:
From the DEC website: “Notice is hereby given that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) is proposing to adopt 6 NYCRR Part 570 to implement a permitting program for the siting, construction, and operation of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities in New York State (NYS). LNG facilities are those that either store LNG in a tank system or convert LNG into natural gas through vaporization. The two types of facilities that NYS DEC expects to permit most frequently include facilities to fuel trucks and facilities that store LNG as a backup heating fuel.”
Read More from DEC: http://www.dec.ny.gov/enb/20130911_not0.html
Public Meetings: NYS DEC will conduct public information meetings to present the proposed regulations and respond to questions prior to the public hearing- 10/30 at DEC HQ in Albany.
Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2013 Time: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Location: New York State Fairgrounds 581 State Fair Blvd, Martha Eddy Room Syracuse, NY
Date: Wednesday, October 30, 2013 Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Location: NYS DEC – Central Office 625 Broadway, Room 129 Albany, NY
Public Hearing: A legislative public hearing to receive public comment about the proposed rule making will be held as follows:
Date: Wednesday, October 30, 2013 Time: 2:00 p.m. Location: NYS DEC – Central Office 625 Broadway, Room 129 Albany, NY
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Link to the post: http://www.shaleshockmedia.org/2013/10/17/syracuse-frackdown-rally-against-fracking-infrastructure-at-dec-meeting/
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Link to Shaleshock Media: http://www.shaleshockmedia.org
Effect of drilling and other fossil fuel activities on insurance and mortgages
September 25, 2013
www.fleased.org
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fleasedny@gmail.com
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607-539-7133
- P.O. Box 27, Slaterville Springs, NY 14881
- Hi everyone,
- We’d like to share with you some updates about how a gas lease may be affecting homeowners insurance and loan and mortgage requests.
- Updates About Insurance
- Fleased has recently learned that individuals in Madison County, NY could not get homeowner’s insurance due to the presence of a traditional vertical gas well on their property. As insurance companies learn more about the effects of gas drilling, multiple underwriters are not covering homes or properties with wells or gas leases A large insurance company we spoke with that covers an area from the Southern Tier north to Watertown said they have NO insurance underwriter who will write a homeowner’s policy for any property that has an existing well or even a gas lease.
- Mortgage lenders require homeowner’s insurance so the inability to obtain such insurance would make it impossible to get a loan.
- Remember, that even if you have homeowner’s insurance, this type of insurance does not cover (and never has covered) potential damages related to gas drilling. Read more at:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/166771976/Insurers-Fracking-related-damages-not-covered-by-standard-policies
- It would be wise not to let your current homeowner’s insurance lapse, but to renew if possible and be sure to check the fine print on your homeowners insurance if you’ve got a gas lease.
- Landowner Denied Loan in Pennsylvania for Well Across the Street
- Insurance is not the only issue lessors are noticing. Banks are beginning to question landowners about fracked wells and impoundment lakes on (and even near) properties when owners seek to obtain a mortgage or home equity loan. A property owner in Pennsylvania was recently denied a mortgage. In an email, Quicken Loans told the property owners, “Unfortunately, we are unable to move forward with this loan. It is located across the street from a gas drilling site.” Two other national lenders also declined to make the loan.
- Learn more at:
http://grist.org/climate-energy/fracking-boom-could-lead-to-housing-bust/
- Sovereign Bank’s New Mortgage Provision
- As more is learned about high volume hydraulic fracturing, banks and federal agencies are revisiting their lending policies to protect themselves and account for potential impacts on property values. Sovereign Bank, a major national lender, has added a rider to their mortgages that states that “the mortgage will be automatically recalled if the property owner transfers any oil or gas rights or allows any surface drilling activity.” It also says owners must “take affirmative steps to prevent the renewal or expansion” of any current lease.
- Thanks,
- Ren and Ellen
GDACC 
