Advocates, Bloomberg: No Hydrofracking Please
January 25th, 2010
The rain didn’t stop hundreds from gathering at the capitol today to protest planned natural gas drilling in upstate. Protesters cited concerns that the process of unlocking the natural gas known as hydrofracking could contaminate drilling water, and destroy natural landscapes. Groups from across the state demanded that plans to drill be delayed so that the process can undergo greater scrutiny.
“Ordinary New Yorkers who rely on state government to ensure that their drinking water is safe can’t pay-to-play by writing big checks for campaign contributions and don’t have hundreds of thousands of dollars to spend on lobbyists, so they come to Albany to have their voices heard,” said Susan Lerner, executive director of Common Cause/NY.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who was in town to testify at joint budget hearings, lent his voice to the chorus. “If the pessimist are right the consequences are so severe that it’s not a risk we should run,” Bloomberg said. “I do not think that we should allow fracture drilling anywhere near our water supply.”
A debate over hydrofracking was held by The Times Union and upstate public radio station WAMC today. You can listen to the debate here. Thanks to the Times Union for the link.
By David King on January 25, 2010, 1:39 pmIn category: Albany, Environment, Eye on Albany | No Comments »

