Wednesday, October 9, 2013

New Yorkers Against Fracking: CALL TO ACTION!

Dear Friend,

You’ll recall the story of the Three Little Pigs.  After successfully barricading themselves inside a huff-and-puff-proof brick house, the pigs discovered the wolf was laying plans to rappel down their chimney.

We New Yorkers find ourselves in a similar situation.  Having made our voices heard last winter on the New York Department of Environmental Conservation’s proposed regulations for fracking, we successfully prevented our house from being blown over by the gas industry.

Now Governor Cuomo and the DEC are proposing regulations on Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) facilities. These draft regulations are just as weak and inadequate as the proposed fracking regulations of last year. They are just as unfair. And — like pipelines and compressor stations — LNG facilities are dangerous for us and pave the way for fracking.

Upcoming DEC meetings — along with a public hearing and public comment period set to close on November 4 — create an urgent opportunity for us to speak out against investments in fracking infrastructure.

New Yorkers Against Fracking is mobilizing to generate public comments and turn people out to the public meetings and hearing.  We call on you to join us at the hearings and for rallies on October 16 in Syracuse and October 30 in Albany. Below is some background and then the specific details.

Background

Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) facilities use immense pressure and extremely cold temperatures to compress gas into a liquid and store it for a variety of uses — for vehicle fuel, for industry, for the interstate pipeline system, and for exporting gas oversees.  LNG facilities also release climate-destroying methane into our atmosphere and pose direct threats to our safety.

In 1973, a massive explosion killed 40 people at a LNG facility in Staten Island.
Ever since, construction of new LNG facilities has been under a de facto ban in New York State.  But now, 37 years later, the DEC has suddenly proposed regulations that will lift that ban — in every part of our state except New York City.

The proposed rules are weak and lack requirements for accident reporting and environmental damage.  They ignore siting issues relating to the size of the facility and proximity to population centers.  They put no limits on accidental or deliberate releases of methane gas.  Even worse, the rule-making has been delegated to the Remediation Division of the DEC.  This clearly signals that managing accidents rather than preventing harm to us is the focus of these regulations.

What You Can Do
New Yorkers Against Fracking urges people to:
·         come to the informational meeting and our rally against fracking infrastructure on October 16 in Syracuse;
·         come to the informational meeting, public hearing and our rally on October 30 in Albany.
·         join the 30 Days of Fracking Regs project spearheaded by Sandra Steingraber, which dissects one concern each day, offers background science, and facilitates writing one comment each day until November 4. Click here to get writing today!

And please join us on October 16 and 30 to speak out against fracking infrastructure!  Nothing speaks louder than your presence at a public meeting.

Event Details:

Rally and DEC LNG Informational Meeting, Syracuse
Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: New York State Fairgrounds,
 581 State Fair Boulevard, Martha Eddy Room, 
Syracuse
Rally outside the Martha Eddy Room at Fairgrounds at 12pm
Join event on Facebook here

Rally, DEC LNG Informational Meeting, and Public Hearing in Albany
Date: Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (public meeting); rally at noon; public hearing at 2:00 pm
Location: NYS DEC - Central Office
 625 Broadway, Room 129
 Albany, NY


Join Facebook event here 
Click here to sign up for the bus from New York City.

For more information on these events or to get involved, email Renee Vogelsang at renee@frackaction.com.

Thank you! All together, we can stop fracking in New York!  So let’s go smoke the wolf out of our chimney.

New Yorkers Against Fracking
 

Friday, September 27, 2013

GET READY FOR GLOBAL FRACKDOWN!

Dear Friend:

Get ready for the Global Frackdown!

The Global Frackdown is an international day of action against fracking on Saturday, October 19.

The Frackdown will unite people across the planet in raising public awareness and sending a message to our governments that we demand a future powered by clean renewable energy, not dirty fossil fuels. The fact is, the more that people break through the oil and gas industry’s lies and misinformation – that is, the more people learn the truth about fracking – the more they oppose fracking.

On October 19, events will be held around the globe, from Australia to South Africa, supported by over 200 organizations.

In New York, actions will be held from Long Island to Buffalo. In Manhattan, we’ll be greeting Governor Cuomo with a rally outside a food-related event he’s attending! The growing list of events can be found here.

There are three ways you can support the Global Frackdown:
  • Have your group endorse the Global Frackdown
     
  • Promote Frackdown events by circulating emails & flyers in your community
     
  • Attend a Frackdown event in your community – or, if there isn’t one, help organize your own!
Together, we’re going to make October 19 another milestone in our movement to ban fracking in New York and around the world!

-- Corinne and the NYAF Team

Thursday, September 26, 2013

EcoWatch: Cutting-Edge Environmental News Service

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Thursday, September 26, 2013

Top News of the Day

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Fracking Victims Demand EPA Reopen Investigations Into Poisoned Drinking Water

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A Real-Time Look at Sea Level Rise Caused By Climate Change

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Renewable Energy Barn Built in Path of Keystone XL Pipeline

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California Chefs Join Together to Fight Fracking

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In states like Pennsylvania, Colorado and Ohio, grazing animals have gotten sick and died after drinking fracking runoff and water from farm wells near fracking operations and in Kern County, CA, one farmer lost millions of dollars worth of almond...
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State Department Ignores Keystone XL Impact on Endangered Species

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EcoWatch promotes the work of more than 1,000 grassroots environmental organizations and activists worldwide through its online news service EcoWatch.com.
To update your email preferences, click here.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Binghamton Rally Speakers August 23, 2013

SandraAtRally
Video by Cris McConkey. A rally against hydrofracking was held August 23, 2013 just prior to President Obama arrival at Binghamton University. Speakers include: Wes Gillingham, Catskill Mountain Keeper; Isaac Silberman-Gorn, Citizen Action of New York; Rema Loeb, NYRAD; Walter Hang, Toxics Targetting; Sandra Steingraber, Physicians, Scientists and Engineers for Safe Energy; Julia Walsh, Frack Action; Alex Beauchamp, Food and Water Watch; Ben Perkus, NYRAD; Howard Hannam, Stop the Constitution Pipeline. This video is part of a playlist.

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Fracking Protests in Binghamton

Fracking Protests

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--

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

3000+ New Yorkers Converge on Albany for Anti-fracking Pro-Renewables Rally

3,000+ New Yorkers Converge on Albany for Anti-Fracking, Pro-Renewables Rally  
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Frack Action

More than 3,000 New Yorkers took time off work yesterday to send a message to Albany that they want Gov. Cuomo and the Legislature to reject fracking and lead the nation in renewable energy. Organizers noted that the rally was larger than a similar rally at the State of the State address that kicked off the legislative session, indicative of the growth and momentum of the movement across the state. The second rally comes at the end of a legislative session that has included discussion of a two year fracking moratorium—which the Assembly passed overwhelmingly—and many, including Gov. Cuomo, have noted it would pass the Senate if allowed to come to the floor for a vote.
“Thousands of people here today are speaking for many more across the state with a simple call to Governor Cuomo: Ban fracking in New York,” said Alex Beauchamp of Food & Water Watch. “They’ve seen the misery fracking has brought elsewhere—the accidents, the contamination and the devastating health effects—and they’ve learned the lessons. New Yorkers are fighting to keep their families safe and healthy, and they’re sending a message that the oil and gas industry can and will be beaten back.”
“The science is clear that fracking poses a serious threat to our health, the air we breathe and the water we drink,” said Julia Walsh of Frack Action on behalf of New Yorkers Against Fracking. “An unparalleled citizen uprising demands that Gov. Cuomo rejects fracking, and lead the nation by constructing a renewable energy economy here and now in New York. If he does, we stand ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work.”

The New Yorkers Against Fracking led rally and march, called “NY Crossroads,” was co-sponsored by more than 130 New York and national organizations including Catskill Mountainkeeper, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, CREDO, Democracy for America, Environmental Advocates of New York, Environment NY, Food & Water Watch, Frack Action, New York State Breast Cancer Network, New York State Sustainable Business Council, Northeast Organic Farming Association, New York Public Interest Research Group, Riverkeeper, Save The Southern Tier, and the Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter. Speakers included former Congressman Maurice Hinchey, Lois Gibbs, Jim Dean of Democracy for America, Mark Jacobson, PhD, Arun Gandhi, Oren Lyons, Phil Aroneanu of 350.org and a musical performance by Natalie Merchant.
While Gov. Cuomo has been weighing whether or not to allow fracking, the oil and gas industry and their supporters have poured millions of dollars into New York to lobby, influence elected officials and saturate the state with pro-fracking propaganda. Yet, fracking opponents outnumber and remain more determined than supporters, demonstrating that New Yorkers aren’t buying the oil and gas industry’s propaganda and how seriously they take this issue.
“Governor Cuomo, my toddler deserves to breathe clean air, drink clean water and inherit a healthy future,” said Logan Adsit of Save The Southern Tier. “Say no to fracking and pioneer a renewable energy economy for New York that offers my child a chance at a better future in the state we love.”

“My neighborhood—Love Canal—became synonymous with the hazards of toxic waste,” said Lois Gibbs. “If Governor Cuomo goes forward with fracking, we could have hundreds or thousands of Love Canals. I’m here today to tell Governor Cuomo not to turn the state we love so dearly into a giant toxic disaster.”
“We are here to show Governor Cuomo once and for all that fracking is not a viable energy option for New York,” said Jim Dean of Democracy for America. “We must fully embrace renewable energy resources, and stop fracking now. Governor Cuomo has the opportunity to lead not only New York, but also the nation by setting an example for those who face the same difficult choice.”
Independent observers have noted that the gas industry cannot be trusted when it describes fracking as safe. A recent investigation by the Times Tribune in Pennsylvania revealed many cases of water contamination from fracking. And a recent study showed that fracking emits significant amounts of methane—a major contributor to climate change. One of the key messages of the rally is that fracking is disastrous for the climate and for Governor Cuomo to allow it would be a stark contradiction to his vow to lead on climate change.
Hurricane Sandy, fueled by Atlantic waters that were five degrees warmer than normal, caused $60 billion in damage downstate, to a city that I love and call home,” said Phil Aroneanu, U.S. campaign director and co-founder of 350.org. “It’s time for all of us to stand up and say ‘We’re not drowning, we’re fighting.’ Gov. Cuomo, do the right thing: Open up New York to solar and wind, to geothermal and tidal power—don’t let us drown.”
Stanford University Professor Mark Jacobson, lead author of a peer-reviewed study detailing a plan for New York State to get to 100 percent renewable energy by 2030 said, “Converting to wind, water and sunlight is feasible, will stabilize costs of energy and will produce jobs while reducing health impacts and climate damage.”
“Our brewery is growing 20 percent annually, creating good-paying jobs in Cooperstown,” said Larry Bennett of Ommegang Brewery. “But we depend on clean water to brew our beer. And if fracking comes to New York, we’ll either have to shut down or move away.”
“Fracking is not just a political issue,” said Reverend Bill Levering of the New York State Council of Churches. “It’s also a moral issue. It’s about protecting the common good from greed. And that is why the New York State Council of Churches opposes fracking.”

JULY 17, 2013: 3000+ RALLY IN ALBANY PROTESTING HYDROFRACKING AND CALLING FOR STATEWIDE BAN!