Fracking Protests
8/23/2013 (Updated 7:08:10 PM)
Protestors
lined the streets waiting for Obama's motorcade to drive by to catch
his attention and express their concerns about fracking.
Many said they believe the president did see them when his bus passed by.
"I saw the President standing in front of the bus, where you would get
out of the front and he turned and looked out at our group and it was
interesting because he's the President," said Bill Irwin of Endwell.
Protestors say there's proof that fracking is bad for the environment and people's health and they want Obama to ban fracking.
"We're very concerned fracking represents a public health menace because
all the chemicals that are used. The EPA we know is concerned about
that, they opened three different investigations but when they found
signs of harm they immediately backed off. Our second message to the
President is to reopen those investigations," said Sandra Steingraber
New Yorkers Against Fracking, Founder.
Meanwhile many pro-frackers gathered at Ostiningo Park asking the
President to call on Governor Cuomo to allow fracking throughout the
state.
"It's high time that we've done it. We missed probably a four billion
dollar bubble by not having it here. We need the jobs we need the
economy," said Clifford Crouch the Assemblyman for 122nd District.
The president said in the town hall meeting that natural gas drilling
helps significantly lower the cost of oil and reduce the damage of coal
to the environment but he said research needs to be continued to
increase use of green energy.
The President has expressed support for natural gas development, most notably in his 2012 State of the Union Address.
--In Vestal, Natalie Rubino, Fox 40HD News--
