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	<title>The Wonkster &#187; Environment</title>
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	<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster</link>
	<description>Gotham Gazette&#039;s blog about New York policy and politics</description>
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		<title>Top Senate Democrats slam DEC on fracking regs release</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/07/05/top-senate-democrats-slam-dec-on-fracking-regs-release/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/07/05/top-senate-democrats-slam-dec-on-fracking-regs-release/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 05 Jul 2012 19:05:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Cristian Salazar</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10938</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Top state Senate Democrats have called on the Department of Environmental Conservation to explain why it shared details about proposed regulations for hydrofracking with representatives of the national gas industry more than a month before the public.
The senators said the DEC&#8217;s action had given industry &#8220;an advantage in shaping the proposed regulations to its own [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Top state Senate Democrats <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/99211676/2012-07-05-Letter-to-Martens-Re-Regs-Release">have called on the Department of Environmental Conservation to explain why it shared details </a>about proposed regulations for hydrofracking with representatives of the national gas industry more than a month before the public.</p>
<p>The senators said the DEC&#8217;s action had given industry &#8220;an advantage in shaping the proposed regulations to its own benefit.&#8221;</p>
<p>The letter was signed by Sens. Liz Krueger, Martin Malave Dilan, Thomas K. Duane and Kevin Parker.</p>
<p>The Environmental Working Group obtained records through the Freedom of Information Law that showed regulators giving drilling companies&#8217; exclusive, early access <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/14/nyregion/hydrofracking-under-cuomo-plan-would-be-restricted-to-a-few-counties.html">to the proposed policy</a>.</p>
<p>Go here to read the full statement by the Senate Democrats:</p>
<p><a style="margin: 12px auto 6px auto; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; display: block; text-decoration: underline;" title="View 2012-07-05 Letter to Martens Re Regs Release on Scribd" href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/99211676/2012-07-05-Letter-to-Martens-Re-Regs-Release">2012-07-05 Letter to Martens Re Regs Release</a></p>
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		<title>NYC Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe Steps Down</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/06/18/nyc-parks-commissioner-adrian-benepe-steps-down/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/06/18/nyc-parks-commissioner-adrian-benepe-steps-down/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 19 Jun 2012 00:33:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kamelia Kilawan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Parks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[benepe]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10824</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The city’s parks commissioner, Adrian Benepe, resigned after serving with the Bloomberg Administration since 2002. Benepe plans to take a senior position for a national nonprofit, the Trust For Public Land, whose mission is to “create close to home parks in and near cities.”
Benepe oversaw the largest expansion of parks since the 1930s, and worked [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The city’s parks commissioner, Adrian Benepe, resigned after serving with the Bloomberg Administration since <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/29/nyregion/public-lives-patrolling-his-green-oasis-with-a-red-bolt-cutter.html?ref=adrianbenepe">2002</a>. Benepe plans to take a senior position for a national nonprofit, the <a href="http://www.tpl.org/">Trust For Public Land</a>, whose mission is to “create close to home parks in and near cities.”</p>
<p>Benepe oversaw the largest expansion of parks since the 1930s, and worked on two of Bloomberg’s signature projects, <a href="http://www.nyc.gov/html/planyc2030/html/home/home.shtml">PlaNYC</a> and <a href="http://www.milliontreesnyc.org/html/about/planyc.shtml">MillionTreesNYC</a></p>
<p>Benepe said in a news release that he looked forward to dedicated his time to &#8220;sustainable landscapes in cities across the country and here in New York.”</p>
<p>Speaking at a news conference, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Monday that Benepe had “done extraordinary work as parks commissioner, leading transformative changes in every corner of New York City.”</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/19/nyregion/adrian-benepe-nyc-parks-chief-quits-to-join-trust-for-public-land.html?_r=1">New York Times</a> reported that during Benepe’s tenure the city added 730 acres of parkland. He also had a role in the creation of Brooklyn Bridge Park and the High Line.</p>
<p>Commissioner Adrian Benepe’s successor will be Veronica M. White, the executive director and founder of the Center for Economic Opportunity. She may be best known for her work for the <a href="http://www.nyc.gov/html/ceo/html/programs/opportunity_nyc.shtml">Opportunity NYC</a>, a $63 million privately-funded initiative that uses monetary, health and education incentives to reward low-income adults and children for behaviors such as workforce participation, attending job training and passing assessments during the school year.</p>
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		<title>City Releases First Wetlands Strategy for Comment</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/02/13/city-releases-first-wetlands-strategy-for-comment/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/02/13/city-releases-first-wetlands-strategy-for-comment/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:09:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Waterfront]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sustainability]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10508</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Parks Writer Anne Schwartz filed this story: 
In its first effort to create a comprehensive policy for protecting New York City’s last wetlands, the Bloomberg administration released a draft Wetlands Strategy in mid-January. The City Council held a hearing on the draft on January 31, and public comments are being accepted until February 18 at [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>Parks Writer Anne Schwartz filed this story: </em></p>
<p>In its first effort to create a comprehensive policy for protecting New York City’s <a href="../../../article/parks/20070422/14/2156"></a><a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/parks/20070422/14/2156 ">last wetlands</a>, the Bloomberg administration released <a href="http://www.nyc.gov/html/planyc2030/downloads/pdf/wetlands_strategy.pdf ">a draft Wetlands Strategy</a> in mid-January. The City Council held a hearing on the draft on January 31, and public comments are being accepted until February 18 at <a href="mailto:planyc@cityhall.nyc.gov">planyc@cityhall.nyc.gov</a>.</p>
<p>Of the estimated 100 square miles of coastal marshes that once lined the city’s shores, just 14 remain. More than 90 percent of its freshwater wetlands have been lost. The wetlands that remain are key to the survival of waterbirds nesting in the harbor, migratory birds that funnel through the city in the spring and fall, and harbor fisheries. They also help prevent coastal flooding and soak up stormwater, an increasingly important role as climate change brings an expected rise in the number and severity of storm surges.<span id="more-10508"></span></p>
<p>In 2007, the Wetlands Transfer Task Force inventoried wetlands on city property and recommended the transfer of several hundred acres to the parks department. But the fate of numerous wetlands in the five boroughs, including many in private ownership, remains undecided. To fill this gap, Local Law 31, introduced by City Councilmember James Gennaro and signed by Mayor Bloomberg in 2009, required the city to create a strategy to “conserve, protect, enhance, stabilize, restore, and expand wetlands and associated buffer areas in the city,” with a particular focus on small vulnerable wetland parcels.</p>
<p>“There are a lot of wetlands in the city we know about that still need protection,” said Glenn Phillips, Executive Director of New York City Audubon and a member of the task force. “This plan is a critical first step in the process.”</p>
<p>Although in 2007, Mayor Bloomberg approved the transfer to the parks department of the city’s largest unprotected wetland&#8211;the <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/parks/20071030/14/2333 ">70-acre Arlington Marsh</a> on the northwest shore of Staten Island&#8211;the strategy draft says that the transfer is pending the planned expansion of the adjacent New York Container Terminal. Advocates say, however, that the terminal can expand while still preserving the most ecologically significant sections of the marsh and there is no need to hold up the transfer.</p>
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		<title>Anti-Frackers Encouraged By Cuomo Budget</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/01/17/anti-frackers-encouraged-by-cuomo-budget/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/01/17/anti-frackers-encouraged-by-cuomo-budget/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:46:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[andrew cuomo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hydraulic fracturing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hydrofracking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[water rangers]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10463</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The New York State Water Rangers, a group of environmental organizations that oppose hydraulic fracturing, are encouraged that Gov. Andrew Cuomo did not include revenue from hydrofracking in his budget, or add money for increased staff to process fracking permits. Here is their statement:
&#8220;Governor Cuomo has clearly taken his foot off the gas pedal and [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The New York State Water Rangers, a group of environmental organizations that oppose hydraulic fracturing, are encouraged that Gov. Andrew Cuomo did not include revenue from hydrofracking in his budget, or add money for increased staff to process fracking permits. Here is their statement:</p>
<p>&#8220;Governor Cuomo has clearly taken his foot off the gas pedal and appears to be taking to heart the state’s obligation to conduct a thorough environmental review before deciding whether to proceed with industrial gas development by means of fracking in New York. By not including industry-exaggerated fracking revenue or ramping up agency staff to process drilling permits, the Governor&#8217;s budget proposal signals that he’s not rushing to judgment and is giving the Department of Environmental Conservation the time necessary to review and respond to the more than 40,000 comments the agency has received on the state&#8217;s fracking proposals.</p>
<p>The New York Water Rangers are encouraged by the executive budget proposal and Governor Cuomo&#8217;s recent statements on fracking, which demonstrate he&#8217;s adopted a more responsible approach to considering the issue.&#8221;</p>
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		<title>IOGA Demands Yet Another Fracking Study</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/12/21/ioga-demands-yet-another-fracking-study/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/12/21/ioga-demands-yet-another-fracking-study/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:10:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10422</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Independent Oil and Gas Association is none to happy that the Department of Environmental Conservation announced that it is hiring an outside firm to study the financial burden of natural gas exploration on communities across the state. Its solution is to have the state hire a consultant to hire an outside firm to study [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Independent Oil and Gas Association is none to happy that the Department of Environmental Conservation <a href="http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20111221/BUSINESS/112210309/Study-fracking-costs-sought?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Business">announced</a> that it is hiring an outside firm to study the financial burden of natural gas exploration on communities across the state. Its solution is to have the state hire a consultant to hire an outside firm to study the cost to the state of the state putting a moratorium on fracking in 2008.</p>
<p>&#8220;IOGA of NY calls on the agency to also determine the full negative  impact this delay has had on the state, especially the Southern Tier by  examining lost sales, income and property tax revenue; outward job  migration and jobs lost to other states; how the higher cost of fuel has  impacted business growth in the state; and how many foreclosures could  have been avoided.&#8221;</p>
<p>It just so happens the DEC was criticized for an earlier report by the  same consultant because the report focused on the financial benefits of fracking without analyzing possible costs to communities, such as impacts on infrastructure.</p>
<p>Here is IOGA&#8217;s statement:</p>
<p>“The DEC’s expanded study of community impacts resulting from advanced natural gas exploration announced yesterday should also analyze the lost opportunities and unrealized positive impacts since the state’s moratorium went into effect in 2008.</p>
<p>IOGA of NY calls on the agency to also determine the full negative impact this delay has had on the state, especially the Southern Tier by examining lost sales, income and property tax revenue; outward job migration and jobs lost to other states; how the higher cost of fuel has impacted business growth in the state; and how many foreclosures could have been avoided.</p>
<p>Earlier this month a report by IHS Global Insight showed that natural gas production in the United States will support 870,000 jobs and result in an additional $118 billion in economic impact over the next four years. New York must be part of this growth.”</p>
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		<title>Lifton&#039;s Remarks on Local Fracking Bans</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/12/19/liftons-remarks-on-local-fracking-bans/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/12/19/liftons-remarks-on-local-fracking-bans/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 19 Dec 2011 19:05:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Barbara Lifton]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hydraulic fracturing]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10414</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton was quoted in Sarah Crean&#8217;s article on the efforts of communities around the state to ban hydraulic fracturing. She was quoted saying: “We have a very strong tradition of home rule in New York State. It’s in  our state constitution that locals have the power to regulate. If it (home rule) [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton was quoted in Sarah Crean&#8217;s<a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/Environment/20111217/7/3659"> article on the efforts of communities around the state to ban hydraulic fracturing</a>. She was quoted saying: “We have a very strong tradition of home rule in New York State. It’s in  our state constitution that locals have the <strong>power to regulate.</strong> If it (home rule) applies to gravel mining, it also applies to gas.”</p>
<p>Lifton however says that she was misquoted and what she really said was:</p>
<p>“We have a very strong tradition of home rule in New York State. It’s in  our state constitution that locals<span style="color: navy; font-weight: bold; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> have the power to restrict and ban outright</span></span><span style="color: #000000; font-weight: bold;">. </span>If it (home rule) applies to gravel mining, it also applies to gas.”</p>
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		<title>Frack Calculator</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/12/13/frack-calculator/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/12/13/frack-calculator/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:48:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fracking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hydraulic fracturing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hydrofracking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[IOGA]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10406</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Independent Oil and Gas Association is eager to get started with this whole hydraulic fracturing thing and they want New York residents to see how much tax revenue their counties could pull in if and when it becomes sanctioned by the Department of Environmental Conservation. To that end they have created a calculator tool [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Independent Oil and Gas Association is eager to get started with this whole hydraulic fracturing thing and they want New York residents to see how much tax revenue their counties could pull in if and when it becomes sanctioned by the Department of Environmental Conservation. To that end they have created a calculator tool on their website. You can find it <a href="http://www.iogany.org/tax_scripts/select-and-calculate.php">here</a>. All you do is choose your county and click a button. Fortunately/unfortunately for me the calculator told me that my county (Albany, AKA The 518) is, &#8220;an unlikely candidate for Marcellus development.&#8221;</p>
<p>“This simple calculator on the IOGA of NY website’s homepage tells a dramatic story in just a few words,” said John Holko, president of Lenape Resources in Alexander and an IOGA of NY director, in a statement. “The calculator shows the amount of ad valorem tax the operator pays to a county in one year if only one Marcellus Shale well would be drilled in that county. This tax revenue stays in the county and supports essential services to county residents.”</p>
<p>Fracking opponents say fracking could <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/us/DRILLING_DOWN_SERIES.html">cost counties</a> and the state a great deal of money if the waste water from the process contaminates local water sources. They also say that those who lease their land to oil and gas companies may <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/us/DRILLING_DOWN_SERIES.html">not come out as well</a> as they might hope because of the cost of possible water contamination.</p>
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		<title>IOGA Unhappy With Extension of Fracking Comment Period</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/11/30/ioga-unhappy-with-extension-of-fracking-comment-period/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/11/30/ioga-unhappy-with-extension-of-fracking-comment-period/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:29:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DEC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hydrofracking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[IOGA]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10353</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Department of Environmental Conservation announced today that it is extending the public comment period on its fracking impact study by one month. The DEC is holding its final hearing on the study in the city today.
Environmental advocates were fairly pleased by the extension but the gas industry is not. The Independent Oil &#38; Gas [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Department of Environmental Conservation announced today that it is <a href="http://www.dec.ny.gov/">extending the public comment period</a> on its fracking impact study by one month. The DEC is holding its final hearing on the study in the city today.</p>
<p>Environmental advocates were fairly pleased by the extension but the gas industry is not. The Independent Oil &amp; Gas Association of New York issued this short statement:</p>
<p>“While today’s extension of the comment period may seem inconsequential to some, it is in fact a continuation of the existing four-year ban on economic opportunity for Upstate New York.”</p>
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		<title>Schneiderman Weighs in on Federal Fracking Regs</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/11/08/schneiderman-weighs-in-on-federal-fracking-regs/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/11/08/schneiderman-weighs-in-on-federal-fracking-regs/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:31:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Law]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eric Schneiderman]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fracking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hydrofracking]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10316</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is not pleased with hydrofracking regulations that were put forward by the Delaware River Basin.  Commission today. Schneiderman filed a suit in May against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other federal agencies to force a full environmental review of the impact of fracking on the Delaware River Basin. Here [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is not pleased with hydrofracking regulations that were put forward by the <a href="http://www.state.nj.us/drbc/">Delaware River Basin.  Commission</a> today. Schneiderman filed a suit in May against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other federal agencies to force a full environmental review of the impact of fracking on the Delaware River Basin. Here is what Schneiderman had to say about the new regulations:</p>
<p>“By issuing these modified draft regulations, the federal government  continues to ignore New Yorkers’ concerns about the impact fracking may  have on our environment, health and homes. Though modified, these  regulations still lack the benefit of a full environmental impact study,  which is required by law and dictated by common sense. Without it, the  federal government does not have a complete understanding of the health  and safety risks fracking poses, even as it stands to open up the  Delaware River Basin to thousands of new gas wells. These regulations  are both inadequate and illegal, and I will continue to use the full  authority of my office to require that the federal government meet its  clear legal obligation to fully study the environmental impacts of  fracking in the Basin.”</p>
<p>Here is Schneiderman&#8217;s full statement: <span id="more-10316"></span></p>
<p>Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman issued the following statement in response to revised draft hydrofracking regulations posted today by the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC), with the approval of its supporting federal agencies.</p>
<p>“By issuing these modified draft regulations, the federal government continues to ignore New Yorkers’ concerns about the impact fracking may have on our environment, health and homes. Though modified, these regulations still lack the benefit of a full environmental impact study, which is required by law and dictated by common sense. Without it, the federal government does not have a complete understanding of the health and safety risks fracking poses, even as it stands to open up the Delaware River Basin to thousands of new gas wells. These regulations are both inadequate and illegal, and I will continue to use the full authority of my office to require that the federal government meet its clear legal obligation to fully study the environmental impacts of fracking in the Basin.”</p>
<p>Background</p>
<p>Attorney General Schneiderman filed a lawsuit on May 31 against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other federal government agencies that determine federal policy on the Basin, for failing to perform a full environmental review of proposed regulations that would allow substantial natural gas development – including the controversial fracking technique – in the Delaware River Basin.  The Attorney General demanded that the federal agencies comply with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), a law requiring such agencies to conduct a full review of actions that may cause significant environmental impacts.</p>
<p>Today, the DRBC posted draft regulations for natural gas development in the Basin that “modify” regulations originally published on December 9, 2010.  The Commission has scheduled a vote on these modified draft regulations on November 21.  The DRBC estimates that its proposed regulations would allow thousands of new natural gas wells in the four-state, 13,500 square mile Basin, most of which are expected to be developed by fracking.</p>
<p>The Delaware River Basin covers 2,300 square miles of New York, including portions of Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Schoharie, Greene, Ulster, Orange and Sullivan Counties, as well as almost 60 percent of New York City’s West-of-Hudson drinking watershed, which provides most of the drinking water used by over nine million New York residents and visitors.</p>
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		<title>EPA to Set Standards For Fracking Waste Removal</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/10/20/epa-to-set-standards-for-fracking-waste-removal/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/10/20/epa-to-set-standards-for-fracking-waste-removal/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 20 Oct 2011 20:14:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[andrew cuomo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Department of Environmental Conservation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Environmental Protection Agency]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hydrofracking]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10207</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it will set standards for disposing of fracking waste water in 2014 after finding that pollutants have been entering waste water due to inadequate treatment of fracking waste. The announcement comes as a boon to environmental groups that oppose fracking.
Environmental Advocates of New York released a statement praising [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Environmental Protection Agency <a href="http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/10/20/usa-fracking-epa-idUKN1E79J1U920111020">announced today</a> that it will set standards for disposing of fracking waste water in 2014 after finding that pollutants have been entering waste water due to inadequate treatment of fracking waste. The announcement comes as a boon to environmental groups that oppose fracking.</p>
<p>Environmental Advocates of New York released a statement praising the EPA and insisting that Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York&#8217;s Department of Environmental Conservation should heed the warning.</p>
<p>&#8220;Environmental Advocates of New York commends the U.S. EPA for announcing plans to set a national standard for the disposal of toxic fracking wastewater. In doing so, the agency recognizes the lack of consistent standards to protect the nation&#8217;s waters and wastewater infrastructure from industrial gas drilling. Governor Cuomo and the Department of Environmental Conservation should act now to prohibit New York&#8217;s aging sewage plants from accepting wastes these facilities cannot&#8211;and were never meant to&#8211;treat. Only by prohibiting New York&#8217;s sewage plants from accepting fracking wastes can we ensure that our waters and wastewater infrastructure are protected.&#8221;</p>
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		<title>Fracking With the Public</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/09/21/fracking-with-the-public/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/09/21/fracking-with-the-public/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 21 Sep 2011 20:04:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Andew Cuomo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hydraulic fracturing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hydrofracking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[IOGA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[quinnipiac]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10140</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A recently-released Quinnipiac University Poll is giving ammunition to both sides of the hydrofracking debate. Environmental Advocates of New York point to numbers that New Yorkers who live on shale formations are against fracking 47-43 percent.
&#8220;Governor Cuomo and the New York State Legislature should take note of today’s Quinnipiac poll: 47 to 43, New Yorkers [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A <a href="http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/09/q-poll-nyers-prefer-vegas-style-casinos-to-fracking/">recently-released Quinnipiac University Poll</a> is giving ammunition to both sides of the hydrofracking debate. Environmental Advocates of New York point to numbers that New Yorkers who live on shale formations are against fracking 47-43 percent.</p>
<p>&#8220;Governor Cuomo and the New York State Legislature should take note of today’s Quinnipiac poll: 47 to 43, New Yorkers likely to be impacted by fracking don’t want it due to concerns about drinking water quality and the industrialization of their communities with truck traffic and more,&#8221; reads the statement. &#8220;New York’s voters haven’t made up their minds about fracking, and 51 percent know it will damage the environment. Thirty five percent don’t know, and 13 percent disagree. Environmental Advocates of New York is confident that the more New Yorkers learn about fracking, the less they want it in their communities.&#8221;</p>
<p>Statewide New Yorkers support hydrofracking 45-41. There is stronger support in the suburbs and city residents are split 41-41 for and against fracking.</p>
<p>The Independent Oil and Gas Association seizes on the statewide support numbers:</p>
<p>“Once again, a sampling of the public demonstrates that most New Yorkers favor increased natural gas development in the Southern Tier,&#8221; reads their release. &#8220;This is remarkable, given the tremendous amount of misinformation that has been issued about our industry in New York. We remain hopeful that New Yorkers are seeing through the distorted statements, myths and fictions, and instead will rely on science and record of performance to form their own opinions. As New York moves in the direction of expanded natural gas exploration, the industry looks forward to balancing the economic and the environmental needs of the state, just as we have done consistently since the 1800s.”</p>
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		<title>Fracking and Flooding</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/09/08/fracking-and-flooding/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/09/08/fracking-and-flooding/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 08 Sep 2011 20:53:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Economy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10062</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Flooding is a new major point of contention for environmental groups as they look over the fracking report or environmental impact study just released by the Department of Environmental Conservation. As upstate New York faces devastating flooding this week and rivers, streams and lakes continue to overflow, environmental groups like the Natural Resources Defense Council [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Flooding is a new major point of contention for environmental groups as they look over the fracking report or environmental impact study just released by the Department of Environmental Conservation. As upstate New York faces devastating flooding this week and rivers, streams and lakes continue to overflow, environmental groups like the <a href="http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/egoldstein/first_impressions_of_new_yorks.html">Natural Resources Defense Council</a> are concerned that the Department of Environmental Conservation does not propose a complete ban of all fracking related activities in flood plains.</p>
<p>The DEC does propose banning well development in flood plains but it would seemingly allow holding ponds and other infrastructure to be located on them. Environmentalists worry that could lead to catastrophe if flooding occurred and toxic fracking materials escaped into the general water supply.</p>
<p>This does seem like an issue that might be able to be resolved during the public comment period that lasts until Dec. 12. However, environmentalists point out that the DEC <a href="http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/76892.html">plans on proposing draft rules</a> to oversee fracking before their environmental review is complete. Those rules will be issued in Oct. and public comment will be open on them until December as well. Advocates insist that the comment period on the recently released environmental impact study is meant to inform the writing of the rules that oversee fracking and that they should not be taking place concurrently.</p>
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		<title>More Impressions on Fracking Report</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/09/08/more-impressions-on-fracking-report/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/09/08/more-impressions-on-fracking-report/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 08 Sep 2011 12:13:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Economy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[andrew cuomo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DEC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Green Party]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[howie hawkins]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NRDC]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10057</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[&#8220;A new report out of Albany yesterday confirms what most folks already  know: Hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” will bring huge benefits to  New York &#8212; with scant chance of environmental harm,&#8221; reads the opening  line of the NY Post&#8217;s editorial on fracking this morning. Guess what? The Natural Resources Defense Council and [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>&#8220;A new report out of Albany yesterday confirms what most folks already  know: Hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” will bring huge benefits to  New York &#8212; with scant chance of environmental harm,&#8221; reads the opening  line of the <a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editorials/no_reason_to_wait_cEx3YeQF8txQQhIuqm2IxH">NY Post&#8217;s editorial on fracking</a> this morning. Guess what? The <a href="http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/egoldstein/first_impressions_of_new_yorks.html">Natural Resources Defense Council</a> and the <a href="http://www.web.gpnys.com/">Green Party</a> don&#8217;t buy it.</p>
<p>Eric Goldstein of the <a href="http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/egoldstein/first_impressions_of_new_yorks.html">Natural Resources Defense Council</a> has a <a href="http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/egoldstein/first_impressions_of_new_yorks.html">blog up</a> detailing what he sees as the major missing elements of the Department of Environmental Conservations new environmental study of fracking.</p>
<p>&#8220;Our first impression of the new draft environmental study is that it has left a boatload of unresolved issues and unanswered questions in its wake,&#8221; writers Goldstein.</p>
<p>What does the NRDC think is missing? Like he said&#8211;a boat load.</p>
<p>1. The report fails to address how to deal with fracking in flood plains&#8211;an issue made all the more poignant by tropical storm Irene.</p>
<p>2. The report fails to propose how to protect small communities from &#8220;rapid industrialization&#8221;&#8211;such as pollution, heavy machinery etc. when fracking takes off.</p>
<p>3. The report is vague on what will happen to millions of gallons of toxic waste water from fracking.</p>
<p>For more of what the NRDC thinks is misgiving check out <a href="http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/egoldstein/first_impressions_of_new_yorks.html">Goldstein&#8217;s blog</a>.</p>
<p>Meanwhile the Green Party just wants to throw the entire study in the trash and demands that Gov. Andrew Cuomo institute a ban on fracking. See a snippet of their statement here:  <span id="more-10057"></span></p>
<p>&#8220;DEC&#8217;s report makes it clear that the state&#8217;s primary focus is clearing the way for the petro-chemical industry to reap enormous profits, cloaked in the language of the potential economic benefit to workers.  While the DEC claims its &#8220;number one priority is to protect the state&#8217;s drinking water and environment in concert with exploring options to safely and efficiently extract the state&#8217;s natural gas,&#8221; there is no way to safely protect drinking water and frack for natural gas.  This report greases the skids for hydrofracking to start as soon as possible in New York.  This is a terrible blow against the environment and the communities in the Marcellus Shale region, which will be negatively impacted by the damage done to their water supply, land, and the natural beauty of that area.  It does nothing to lead us to a post-fossil fuel future and towards renewables in this era where we are on the tipping point of catastrophic climate change; fracking and natural gas are a bridge to nowhere, not economic prosperity.&#8221;</p>
<p>And here are the comments that follow:</p>
<p>It doesn&#8217;t matter how long the SGEIS is, it isn&#8217;t regulation: it&#8217;s a study&#8221;, said Mike Bernhard, GPNYS upstate Fracking Coordinator, referring to the Supplementary Generic Environmental Impact Study, to which a socio-economic  impact study was appended today.   &#8220;The original 1992 GEIS on gas and oil mining was never codified as law or regulation, but the DEC issued permits nonetheless.  It is state policy to begin issuing permits as soon as the comment period on the current study ends, without first codifying regulations.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;If the state intended the Department of Environmental Conservation to conserve the environment, it wouldn&#8217;t have preempted municipalities from controlling drilling&#8221;, notes Cecile Lawrence, GP candidate for Tioga County legislature.  &#8220;It wouldn&#8217;t have gifted Gascorp with the Compulsory Integration law that allows drillers to horizontally drill unleased land.  And it wouldn&#8217;t have kept quiet when tens of thousands of leases &#8211; with no environmental or landowner protections -    were being signed. The SGEIS won&#8217;t change those facts.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;And it doesn&#8217;t matter how complete or otherwise the study is&#8221;, said Howie Hawkins, party co-chair.  &#8220;Its content, and the public reaction to it, is largely invisible and irrelevant:  It is simply a political football that Andrew Cuomo has to carry across the finish line, so that his corporate clients can begin to drill the Marcellus shale. &#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;The Green Party of New York State is opposed to the fracking process, and calls for and supports a total ban.  Greens from around the state have been actively involved from the beginning in resisting and fighting the gas and oil industry, promoting the Avella/Colton ban  legislation and educating the public about this very ungreen process&#8221;, said Hawkins.  &#8221; Further  fossil-fuel development &#8211; with its demands for new and dangerous infrastructure -  will starve conservation-led approaches to a renewable energy future  of the capital and intelligence they need now,&#8221; concluded Hawkins.</p>
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		<title>DEC Backtracks on Public Meetings</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/09/07/dec-backtracks-on-public-meetings/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/09/07/dec-backtracks-on-public-meetings/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 07 Sep 2011 18:30:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Economy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[andrew cuomo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DEC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hydrofracking]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10052</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Environmental groups are responding to the Department of Environmental Conservation&#8217;s fracking report and they continue to say that the public comment period should be extended. The DEC does seem to have extended the comment period to over 90 days but not to the requested 180. Environmental groups say that   New Yorkers are still recovering [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Environmental groups are responding to the Department of Environmental Conservation&#8217;s fracking report and they continue to say that the public comment period should be extended. The DEC does <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/09/07/fracking-study-out-start-your-commenting/">seem to have extended the comment period </a>to over 90 days but not to the requested 180. Environmental groups say that   New Yorkers are still recovering from tropical storm Irene and need more time to process the report. A press release from a coalition of environmental groups called New York Water Rangers demands the DEC add two more public meetings.</p>
<p>Originally the <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/09/07/fracking-study-out-start-your-commenting/">DEC  website said</a> there would be 4 public hearings. &#8220;The meetings will be  held in Broome, Steuben and Sullivan counties, as well as New York City.  Dates and locations will be announced shortly,&#8221; read the website.</p>
<p>However,  DEC spokeswoman Emily DeSantis e-mailed me earlier to say, &#8220;To clarify,  no final decisions have been made on the locations of the public  hearings. The hearings will be held in counties within the Marcellus  Shale region, as well as New York City.  Exact dates and locations will  be released in early October.&#8221; The original statement seemed fairly  clear.</p>
<p>Anyway, the Water Rangers&#8217; response is fairly blistering: <span id="more-10052"></span></p>
<p>“It is clear that the Cuomo Administration is focused on permitting fracking in New York by January and limiting the involvement of concerned citizens who are not convinced that fracking is right for New York,” said Sarah Eckel, Legislative &amp; Policy Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment. “Hydro-fracking will dramatically change New York communities and have lasting impacts on our natural resources. Why is Governor Cuomo intent on fast-tracking a process the DEC is not prepared to regulate?”</p>
<p>The groups are concerned that the DEC does not call for banning any hazardous chemicals that may be used in fracking, that the report does not include an analysis of public health impacts and that it does not address the DEC&#8217;s &#8220;historically low&#8221; staffing levels and how that will effect their ability to monitor fracking and issue permits.</p>
<p>Here is the full release:</p>
<p>&#8220;After a preliminary review of the 1,000+ pages of the revised draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (SGEIS), the document that would guide gas drilling by means of hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” and horizontal drilling in deep shale, environmental groups called on Governor Andrew Cuomo to schedule additional public hearings in communities likely to experience gas exploration. The groups also renewed their call on the Governor to assess fracking’s public health and community impacts before the state permits drilling. The revised fracking document includes new assessments of traffic, noise and visual impacts, but does not include estimates of related health impacts due to increased industrial activity.</p>
<p>“It is clear that the Cuomo Administration is focused on permitting fracking in New York by January and limiting the involvement of concerned citizens who are not convinced that fracking is right for New York,” said Sarah Eckel, Legislative &amp; Policy Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment. “Hydro-fracking will dramatically change New York communities and have lasting impacts on our natural resources. Why is Governor Cuomo intent on fast-tracking a process the DEC is not prepared to regulate?”</p>
<p>&#8220;The damage wrought by Hurricane Irene requires that New Yorkers be given additional time to respond to the dSGEIS as we struggle to restore power, clear roads, and address flooding. The storm&#8217;s resulting damage also reinforces the need for a prohibition against drilling in all important watersheds, not just those serving NYC and Syracuse, to prevent irremediable water contamination resulting from natural disasters. Watersheds do not exist in isolation. New Yorkers are in this together whether we choose to recognize it or not. We&#8217;re calling on Governor Cuomo to please extend the public comment period,&#8221; said Nicole Dillingham, President, Otsego 2000.</p>
<p>Upon preliminary review, the organizations&#8217; objections include the fact state leaders do not propose to ban any of the toxic chemicals used in fracking fluid, have failed to include an analysis of public health impacts. The groups continue to cite DEC&#8217;s historically low staff levels as reason to believe the agency would be forced to cut corners with reviews or fast-track permits despite documented risks of industrial drilling. Additional comments will be available in the coming weeks after the groups have reviewed the document thoroughly.</p>
<p>“If drilling goes forward, those of us who signed gas leases before the dangers of shale gas development were known are the ones who will suffer the worst consequences,” said Ellen Harrison, Director of FLEASED.</p>
<p>The organizations, all partners in the New York Water Rangers Campaign, are calling on Governor Cuomo and the DEC to include at least two additional public hearings in the vast Upstate New York region.</p>
<p>&#8220;How Governor Cuomo chooses to safeguard New York’s communities and waters from fracking will determine his environmental legacy,” said Katherine Nadeau, Water &amp; Natural Resources Program Director for Environmental Advocates of New York. &#8220;Does he want that legacy to include putting the state at risk by allowing toxic chemicals to be pumped through New York’s waters or allowing fracking to proceed without so much as an evaluation of potential health impacts?  I hope not.”</p>
<p>The groups noted the need for Governor Cuomo to approach gas development in New York in a comprehensive manner, as the industry would be overseen by several state agencies, including the Public Service Commission, Department of Agriculture and Markets, Department of Health, and others. Governor Cuomo is the only person who has the power to coordinate multiple agencies&#8217; efforts and protect New Yorkers from the full array of impacts from gas production and infrastructure development. Aspects of fracking under DEC’s control cannot legitimately be examined in isolation from other impacts, as they currently are in the revised draft SGEIS.</p>
<p>“People who will bear the brunt of dirty drilling should not be rushed through the review and comment process,” said Deborah Goldberg, an attorney with Earthjustice, a non-profit environmental law firm. “The Governor should welcome thorough public input, which will help the SGEIS to withstand legal scrutiny.”</p>
<p>“In many other states, including nearby Pennsylvania, industrial drilling has already damaged health, water, air, and land,&#8221; said Nadia Steinzor of Earthworks Oil and Gas Accountability Project. “Before it completes the review process, the DEC must demonstrate the will to put real protections in place and make industry do better and be held accountable—otherwise New York will just be taking the same irresponsible road as other states.”</p>
<p>“Given that shale gas has existed for millions of years, it is unnecessary and irresponsible for DEC and the Governor to rush to permit this activity,” said Kate Hudson, Riverkeeper’s Watershed Program Director. “New Yorkers deserve a full opportunity to share their concerns regarding the environmental, health and safety impacts associated with shale gas extraction.  The extension of the proposed 60 day comment period to 90 days on both the voluminous SGEIS just released today and on regulations still to be released sometime in October does not afford citizens of New York that opportunity.   In addition, the failure to schedule hearings for communities in the Central and Western portions of the state that will also be subject to shale gas extraction denies the residents of those regions the same opportunity to have their voices heard.  Equally important, DEC should take the time to put in place truly rigorous regulations and a full complement of regulatory and enforcement personnel necessary to implement those regulations, and not begin issuing permits as soon as the SGEIS is finalized.  Rushing this process is a recipe for disaster.”</p>
<p>Earlier this month, 76 organizations released a letter to Governor Cuomo and DEC Commissioner Martens calling for a 180-day comment period along with public hearings in at least the same four areas where the DEC held hearings on the 2009 draft fracking document—Binghamton, Sullivan County, New York City and Delaware County. The letter also called on state leaders to hold hearings in as many of the communities likely to be affected by fracking in both Marcellus and Utica shales as possible. Many New Yorkers in these areas did not have the opportunity to attend a public hearing in 2009.</p>
<p>To frack a gas well, millions of gallons of water, sand, and toxic chemicals are pumped deep underground at high pressure. This fractures the rock that has trapped the gas for millennia and allows it to escape. From start to finish, gas development that relies on fracking is an industrial process that threatens our water. State after state, from Wyoming to Pennsylvania, has documented its dangers. New York can’t afford to put short-term gas profits ahead of the long-term health of our water and our communities.&#8221;</p>
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		<title>Gas Industry Responds to Fracking Report</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/09/07/gas-industry-responds-to-fracking-report/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/09/07/gas-industry-responds-to-fracking-report/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 07 Sep 2011 17:57:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10050</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Independent Oil and Gas Association has released its response to the DEC fracking study. The synopsis? They aren&#8217;t so happy about the extended comment period and they plan on reading the report.
“Commissioner Martens has demonstrated his willingness to provide opportunities for serious dialogue on this important energy and environmental matter,&#8221; said Brad Gill.
&#8220;While the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Independent Oil and Gas Association has released its response to the <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/09/07/fracking-study-out-start-your-commenting/">DEC fracking study</a>. The synopsis? They aren&#8217;t so happy about the extended comment period and they plan on reading the report.</p>
<p>“Commissioner Martens has demonstrated his willingness to provide opportunities for serious dialogue on this important energy and environmental matter,&#8221; said Brad Gill.</p>
<p>&#8220;While the energy industry believed the previously announced 60-day comment period to be sufficient, it has been determined that extending it to 90 days will ensure a more detailed review and evaluation of the Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (SGEIS).</p>
<p>IOGA of NY will fully review the additional elements and content of the revised SGEIS and looks forward to sharing its point of view with state officials at the upcoming hearings.</p>
<p>In addition, we know that New Yorkers are open-minded about the benefits that natural gas exploration can bring to the state; and as an industry, we remain committed to practices that have resulted in a long-term record of safety and stewardship.&#8221;</p>
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		<title>Fracking Study Out, Start Your Commenting</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/09/07/fracking-study-out-start-your-commenting/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/09/07/fracking-study-out-start-your-commenting/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 07 Sep 2011 15:44:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DEC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hydrofracking]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10047</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Department of Environmental Conservation has released its revised report on hydraulic fracturing and the 90 day comment period has now started. That&#8217;s right it seems the DEC has extended the comment period by 30 days. Environmental groups have insisted that the comment period should be extended to 180 days, while the gas industry has [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Department of Environmental Conservation has <a href="http://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/75370.html">released its revised report on hydraulic fracturing</a> and the 90 day comment period has now started. That&#8217;s right it seems the DEC has extended the comment period by 30 days. Environmental groups have <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/08/29/fracking-report-due/">insisted that the comment period should be extended to 180 days</a>, while the gas industry has said 60 days is plenty.</p>
<p>For those interested in commenting the DEC offers these rules:</p>
<p>&#8220;Written comments will be accepted through the close of business December 12, 2011 by two methods only:</p>
<p>Electronic submission using a web-based comment form available on DEC&#8217;s website (preferred method); or<br />
Paper submission mailed or delivered to: Attn: dSGEIS Comments, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 625 Broadway,Albany, NY 12233-6510. Please include the name, address, and affiliation (if any) of the commenter. Paper submissions also will be accepted at the public hearings listed below.</p>
<p>Due to the expected volume, comments that are faxed, telephoned, or emailed to the DEC will not be accepted for the official record. This is to ensure that all comments are captured properly and can be included during the review process. Please use DEC&#8217;s web-based comment form to provide your input.<br />
Public Hearings</p>
<p>DEC plans to hold four public hearings during the comment period for the SGEIS and regulations in November. The meetings will be held in Broome, Steuben and Sullivan counties, as well as New York City. Dates and locations will be announced shortly.&#8221;</p>
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		<title>More Testing for Schools</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/08/31/more-testing-forschools/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/08/31/more-testing-forschools/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 31 Aug 2011 16:44:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gail Robinson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10024</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In the wake of the closing of a Bronx schools contaminated with a toxic chemical, two advocacy groups and eight members of the City Council have written to Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott demanding immediate testing of city school on leased property and a public disclosure of he results.
Earlier this summer, the Department of Education shut [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In the wake of the closing of a Bronx schools contaminated with a toxic chemical, two advocacy groups and eight members of the City Council have written to Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott demanding immediate testing of city school on leased property and a public disclosure of he results.</p>
<p>Earlier this summer, the <a href="http://schools.nyc.gov/default.htm">Department of Education</a> <a href="http://articles.nydailynews.com/2011-08-06/local/29878513_1_toxic-chemical-tce-industrial-building">shut</a> <a href="http://www.thebronxnewschool.org/">Bronx New School</a>, which had operated in a leased former industrial site in Bedford Park. Walcott has <a href="http://www.ny1.com/content/news_beats/education/145374/parents-unsettled-by-cancer-scare-at-bronx-elementary-school">admitted</a> the department knew of the contamination since January but <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/08/19/walcott-promises-more-testing-for-toxins/">did not tell parents</a> until eight months later. The school had apparently never been tested before – although students attended classes there for two decades.</p>
<p>While other cases may not be quite that egregious, as Melissa Checker <ahref ="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/Environment/20110817/7/3586">reported in Gotham Gazette last month, Bronx New School, also known as PS51X, is hardly an isolated case. The city now leases more than 90 properties –&#8211;many of them former industrial sites &#8212; for schools, and the regulations regarding leased properties, as opposed to those for sites the city owns, are lax, to say the last. Schools on leased sites, Checker wrote, do not have to undergo environmental review under the <a href="http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/357.html">State Environmental Quality Review Act</a>, and the city does not have to keep the public – including parents, staff and students –- informed about its plans for building or monitoring those schools or remediating any hazards at the site.</p>
<p>In the letter, <a href="http://www.nylpi.org/">New York Lawyers for the Public Interest</a>, <a href="http://www.nycommunities.org/">New York Communities for Change</a> and the council members seek to address some of these issues, focusing on 31 schools whose leases are up for renewal. The city does inspect school when their leases come up for renewal, although a schools spokesperson told Checker only that the inspections would take plan within eight weeks – not necessarily before the school year begins.</p>
<p>More and the letter after the jump.<br />
<span id="more-10024"></span><br />
The letter demands that the first phase of testing of the sites of the 31 schools and their indoor air quality  be completed by the time school <a href="http://schools.nyc.gov/Calendar/firstday2011">starts</a> on Sept. 8 and that the results of that testing be made public. </p>
<p>In addition, the groups and officials want the department to disclose the results of its testing on 65 schools whose sites have been renewed since 2002.</p>
<p>&#8220;Recent events bring into sharp focus the need for stronger environmental review and increased transparency at all currently leased sites,&#8221; the letter said, adding &#8220;Waiting for lease renewals to trigger even basic environmental investigation of these sites, in some instances have left children and school employees vulnerable to potential toxic chemical exposure for decades.&#8221;</p>
<p>Here&#8217;s the full letter:</p>
<p>Dear Chancellor Walcott:</p>
<p>We write to express our serious concerns regarding the environmental conditions of leased school sites in New York City.  Recent events at PS 51X make clear that there must be a more transparent and comprehensive environmental review process for all leased school sites.</p>
<p>As you know, in early August, the Department of Education (DOE) informed parents and school staff that PS 51X would be closing due to unsafe levels of trichloroethylene (TCE), an industrial solvent and a human carcinogen. Subsequently, we learned that the DOE performed initial sampling at PS 51X in January and found levels of TCE ten times above the New York City Department of Health (DOH) guidelines. Testing in March and April continued to show consistently high levels of TCE.  Incredibly, the DOE waited over seven months before notifying appropriate parties and school employees of the test results.</p>
<p>We have also learned that, even though PS51X was sited on severely contaminated property, the DOE conducted no environmental reviews or testing on it for the first twenty years that PS 51X operated as a school. Allowing children and school staff to occupy the building under these conditions demonstrates a shocking disregard for the health of the building’s occupants, particularly in light of the fact that TCE exposure is linked to a range of serious health risks that only increase with length of exposure.</p>
<p>Although egregious, the actions and omissions that occurred at PS 51X are consistent with DOE practice at leased school sites. These recent events bring into sharp focus the need for stronger environmental review and increased transparency at all currently leased sites. The DOE’s practice of performing environmental audits of leased school sites only when the leases come up</p>
<p>for renewal is seriously deficient. Like PS 51X, many of the current school leases are long-term leases entered into many years ago with minimal environmental review. Waiting for lease renewals to trigger even basic environmental investigation of these sites, in some instances have left children and school employees vulnerable to potential toxic chemical exposure for decades.</p>
<p>This policy also contradicts the DOE’s claims that all leased sites undergo thorough environmental review. Unfortunately, the DOE continues to fight measures to increase oversight and accountability of leased school sites and as a result, parents and school staff are routinely kept in the dark about environmental conditions that pose serious health risks in both the short and long-term.</p>
<p>In light of the foregoing, we demand that the DOE undertake the following actions:</p>
<p>1.      Conduct immediate indoor air quality testing of all 31 existing leased school sites that have not undergone any environmental review to date. Testing should be conducted according to the New York State Department of Health (DOH) Vapor Intrusion Guidance document and completed prior to the first day of classes on September 8th. If any sampling results exceed the screening levels outlined in Matrix 1 of the DOH guidelines, the DOE must notify all appropriate parties including parents and teachers to determine further action. Because vapor intrusion varies significantly over time, follow- up testing should be conducted during the heating season, as recommended in the NYS DOH Guidance document.</p>
<p>2.      Conduct and complete Phase I environmental site assessments at the 31 leased school sites prior to the first day of classes.  If any Phase I review indicates the need for a Phase II review, this must be initiated immediately and completed as soon as is practicable. In determining further action based on the results of the Phase I and Phase II reviews, all appropriate parties must be notified including parents and school employees. </p>
<p>3.      Publicly disclose all preliminary indoor air quality results and any documents relating to the Phase I environmental site assessments at each of the 31 school sites prior to the first day of classes. These documents must be disclosed in an easily accessible format such as an online repository. </p>
<p>4.      Publicly disclose all documents relating to the environmental review, investigation, and remediation of the 65 school leases that have been renewed since 2002 prior to the first day of classes. To be clear, while we are entitled to this information through a FOIL request, the significant delay associated with such requests combined with the imminent start of the school year require immediate disclosure.</p>
<p>Protecting the health of our children requires that the DOE act with far greater urgency and vigilance in ensuring the environmental health and safety of our schools. Parents have a right to know their children are attending safe, healthy learning environments.</p>
<p>Sincerely,<br />
 Dawn Philip<br />
Staff Attorney, Environmental Justice Program<br />
New York Lawyers for the Public Interest<br />
 John Kest<br />
Executive Director<br />
New York Communities for Change</p>
<p>Gale A. Brewer<br />
Council Member, 6th District</p>
<p>Margaret Chin<br />
Council Member, 1st District</p>
<p>Vincent J. Gentile<br />
Council Member, 43rd District</p>
<p>Robert Jackson<br />
Council Member, 7th District</p>
<p>Letitia James<br />
Council Member, 35th District</p>
<p>Melissa Mark-Viverito<br />
Council Member, 8th District</p>
<p>Rosie Mendez<br />
Council Member, 2nd District</p>
<p>Deborah Rose<br />
Council Member, 49th District</p>
<p></ahref></p>
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		<title>Fracking Report Due</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/08/29/fracking-report-due/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/08/29/fracking-report-due/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 29 Aug 2011 20:43:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10012</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Department of Environmental Conservation is expected to release its updated fracking report  this week and environmental groups are upping the pressure on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to weigh in against the controversial process by which gas is extracted from shale formations by pumping millions of gallons of water and chemicals into the ground. After the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Department of Environmental Conservation is expected to release its updated fracking report  this week and environmental groups are upping the pressure on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to weigh in against the controversial process by which gas is extracted from shale formations by pumping millions of gallons of water and chemicals into the ground. After the report is released the public will have a 60 day comment period but environmentalists want the comment period extended to 180 days.</p>
<p>&#8220;Almost every day new science and new facts come to light about the  dangers of fracking,&#8221; said <a href="http://www.eany.org/">Environmental Advocates of New York</a> in a statement. &#8220;The U.S. Geological Survey&#8217;s reduced estimate for  recoverable gas from the Marcellus Shale is just the latest example of  science that Governor Cuomo must consider before opening New York State  to high volume horizontal fracking. The state&#8217;s fracking review is expected to weigh in at more than 1,000  pages. New Yorkers from Buffalo to Brighton Beach are asking Governor  Cuomo to give people time to dig into the science of fracking and  understand how state leaders intend to safeguard our waters and  communities from the adverse effects of gas exploration. Limiting the  public&#8217;s sole opportunity to review this important and technical  document to 60 days is irresponsible and inadequate. The gas will wait.  It’s not going anywhere.&#8221;</p>
<p>The Independent Oil and Gas Association opposes an extended comment period.</p>
<p>“The natural gas industry has waited more than three years to move forward with development of the Marcellus Shale. The draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement – when it was released – was to have a 60 day public review period, which has not yet begun. This is more than enough time to allow residents and stakeholders opportunity to comment,&#8221; said IOGA executive director Brad Gill is a statement earlier this month.</p>
<p>&#8220;Opponents have called for a comment period that would extend it to half a year. Clearly, this is a tactic to delay the issuance of drilling permits in New York’s Southern Tier and is not intended to facilitate a meaningful discussion,&#8221; continued Gill. &#8220;The recent Quinnipiac poll showed that a majority of New Yorkers, in areas where the strongest impact will be made, favor increased natural gas development. Further delaying progress just means New York will continue to lose out on the economic benefits and job creation potential that will come with expanded natural gas development.”<span id="more-10012"></span></p>
<p>Here is the release from Environmental Advocates of New York</p>
<p>Awaiting Public Release of NY&#8217;s Fracking Assessment, Green Watchdog Asks Gov Cuomo to Rely on Science, Not Gas Industry</p>
<p>Environmental Group Calls on Cuomo to Protect New York&#8217;s Waters &amp; Communities from Dangers Posed by Fracking, Make New York a National Leader on Responsible Energy Policy</p>
<p>(ALBANY, NY)— Awaiting the public release of the Department of Environmental Conservation&#8217;s revised Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (SGEIS), the document that will guide gas drilling by means of hydraulic fracturing or &#8220;fracking&#8221; in New York, Environmental Advocates of New York called on Governor Andrew Cuomo today to rely on science rather than the gas industry&#8217;s false promises before opening the state to dirty drilling. The recent release of the U.S. Geological Survey&#8217;s greatly reduced estimates of gas recoverable from the Marcellus Shale Formation brings this call into sharp focus.<br />
The Department of Environmental Conservation is set to release its revised report on hydrofracking this week.<br />
The Department of Environmental Conservation is expected to release the revised SGEIS this week, including the economic impacts of fracking on local governments, the subject of much dispute and debate.</p>
<p>&#8220;Almost every day new science and new facts come to light about the dangers of fracking. The U.S. Geological Survey&#8217;s reduced estimate for recoverable gas from the Marcellus Shale is just the latest example of science that Governor Cuomo must consider before opening New York State to high volume horizontal fracking.</p>
<p>The state&#8217;s fracking review is expected to weigh in at more than 1,000 pages. New Yorkers from Buffalo to Brighton Beach are asking Governor Cuomo to give people time to dig into the science of fracking and understand how state leaders intend to safeguard our waters and communities from the adverse effects of gas exploration. Limiting the public&#8217;s sole opportunity to review this important and technical document to 60 days is irresponsible and inadequate. The gas will wait. It’s not going anywhere.&#8221;</p>
<p>To frack a gas well, millions of gallons of water, sand, and toxic chemicals are pumped deep underground at high pressure. This fractures the rock that has trapped the gas for millennia and allows it to escape. From start to finish, gas development that relies on fracking is an industrial process that poses a significant threat to our water. State after state, from Wyoming to Pennsylvania, has documented its dangers. New York can’t afford to put short-term gas profits ahead of the long-term health of our water and our communities. Governor Cuomo must rely on independent and reliable science in deciding how and if fracking might go forward in New York. His decision cannot be based upon false promises and biased estimations of an industry he regulates. The public comment period for the SGEIS must be extended to 180 days to allow for more thorough scientific vetting of the process and more opportunity for public participation.</p>
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		<title>Walcott Promises More Testing for Toxins</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/08/19/walcott-promises-more-testing-for-toxins/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/08/19/walcott-promises-more-testing-for-toxins/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 19 Aug 2011 17:42:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gail Robinson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=9992</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[By all accounts last night&#8217;s meeting in the Bronx between schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott and parents is unlikely to settle the rising concern about the contaminated site of the Bronx New School –- and the problem of polluted schools overall.
Three weeks ago, the Department of Education announced it would shut the Bedford Park building because [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>By all accounts last night&#8217;s meeting in the Bronx between schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott and parents is unlikely to settle the rising concern about the contaminated site of the <a href="http://www.thebronxnewschool.org/">Bronx New School</a> –- and the problem of polluted schools overall.</p>
<p>Three weeks ago, the Department of Education <a href=" http://articles.nydailynews.com/2011-08-06/local/29878513_1_toxic-chemical-tce-industrial-building">announced</a> it would shut the Bedford Park building because high levels of trichloroethylene, or TCE, had been found on the site. </p>
<p>The department learned of the unsafe levels in January; it did not tell parents, the principal or the staff until this summer. And although the school has been on the former industrial site for about 20 years, no record exists of it ever having been tested before.  And there may be other untested schools as well. </p>
<p> Walcott has said the city is checking another 31 schools whose leases are now up for renewal and <a href="http://gothamschools.org/2011/08/18/amid-p-s-51-toxin-concerns-city-to-speed-environmental-testing/#disqus_thread"> plans</a>  to complete the tests by early next month. It has not released the names of those schools. </p>
<p>Melissa Checker <a href=http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/Environment/20110817/7/3586>wrote</a> in Gotham Gazette this week that,  while the city must conduct environmental reviews of any property it purchases for a school, it does not have to check out land or buildings it leases. As a result, Dawn Philip an attorney with <a frehttp://www.nylpi.org/">New York Lawyers for the Public Interest</a> told Checker,  &#8220;Parents, school staff and community members often have no idea that a leased school site sits on top of contaminated property and, more importantly, what the [Department of Education] has done to eliminate any health risks.&#8221;<br />
<span id="more-9992"></span><br />
And Checker notes, the problem will probably grow. The city now leases more than 90 school properties but as it searches for more space, it is likely to enter into more lease arrangements – many of them for former industrial properties that could be polluted.</p>
<p>At the meeting, NY1  <a href="http://www.ny1.com/content/news_beats/education/145374/parents-unsettled-by-cancer-scare-at-bronx-elementary-school">reports</a>, Walcott apologized for keeping parents in the dark about a possible danger to their children for eight month. He said he was taking three steps: &#8220;One, by apologizing to all of you, two, by saying this will not happen again. Three, as a result of this, the process and protocol for this will change around the notification to parents. And it should not have happened that way.&#8221;</p>
<p>While Walcott took responsibility for the failure to disclose the TCE levels at the school last winter, the test results <a href=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/walcott_sorry_about_toxin_alert_Ds6siW0kSNvYlxZRN4CNTL>came in</a> during Cathie Black&#8217;s brief tenure as chancellor,.</p>
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		<title>Developers&#039; Dollars</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/07/05/developers-dollars/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/07/05/developers-dollars/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 05 Jul 2011 19:40:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gail Robinson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[City Hall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Governing]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=9847</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The New York Post&#8217;s David Seifman reported Sunday that developers left without a candidate in the 2013 mayoral race after the demise of Rep Anthony Weiner might support Public Advocate Bill de Blasio. This has the appeal of a man bites dog story &#8212; de Blasio a favored candidate of many unions and the Working [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The New York Post&#8217;s David Seifman <a href="http://www.nyc.gov/html/planyc2030/html/home/home.shtml">reported Sunday</a> that developers left without a candidate in the 2013 mayoral race after the <a href=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/17/nyregion/anthony-d-weiner-tells-friends-he-will-resign.html>demise of Rep Anthony Weiner</a> might support Public Advocate <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/campaigns/whosrunning.php?searchterms=de+blasio&#038;submit=search">Bill de Blasio</a>. This has the appeal of a man bites dog story &#8212; de Blasio a <a href="http://redesign.gothamgazette.com/article/searchlight/20091013/203/3051">favored candidate of many unions</a> and the <a href="http://www.workingfamiliesparty.org/">Working Families Party</a>, would seem an unlikely politician for developers to embrace.</p>
<p>Whatever the merit of Seifman&#8217;s story, it was a little puzzling for its omission of at least one candidate who already has a lot of support from the real estate industry: Council Speaker Christine Quinn. Using Gotham Gazette&#8217;s <a href="http://www.councilpedia.org/index.php?title=Main_Page">Councilpedia</a>, we examined Quinn&#8217;s <a href="http://www.councilpedia.org/index.php?title=Major_Supporters_2013_%28Through_January_2011%29_%28Christine_Quinn%29">major contributors for the 2013 race</a> (many of who actually gave in 2007 and 2008, before the <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/iotw/20091221/200/3136">extension of term limits</a> sunk Quinn&#8217;s 2009 run for Gracie Mansion). And we discovered a large number of $4,950 contributions &#8212; the maximum allowed for citywide candidates &#8212; from people involved in real estate.</p>
<p>In a number of cases, several people associated with a company anted up. At least six people<br />
with links to <a href="http://www.rudin.com/">Rudin Management</a>, one of the city’s largest building developers and owners,  gave $4,950, as did five members of the <a href="http://www.observer.com/2010/commercial-observer/jeff-gurals-many-acts">Gural family</a> of the global real estate firm <a href="http://www.newmarkkf.com/">Newmark Knight Frank</a> and the president of Newmark, James Kuhn. Three members of the Walentas family of <a href="http://www.twotreesny.com/flash_index.html">Two Trees Management</a>, which has developed much of DUMBO< gave $4,950 each, as did two executives with the company, Amish Patel and Richard Shill.<br />
Thee people associated with <a href="http://www.rosenyc.com/">Rose Associates opened their wallets for the maximum, as did two Roses with the <a href="http://www.georgetownco.com/">Georgetown Co. </a>At least five people with ties to The <a href=http://www.benjamindevco.com/aboutus.htm">Benjamin Companies</a> on Long Island gave Quinn $4,950, and so did at least four people with ties to <a href="http://www.related.com/ourcompany/businesses.aspx">Related</a>. And so on.</p>
<p>More on the money trail after the jump<br />
<span id="more-9847"></span><br />
Interestingly a number of people, including three donors from Related, who gave the maximum to Quinn also gave to Weiner.</p>
<p>In his 2009 run for public advocate, de Blasio got only a few of his biggest contributions from the <a href="http://www.councilpedia.org/index.php?title=Real_Estate_Industry_%28Bill_de_Blasio%29">real estate industry</a>, according to Councilpedia. His <a href="http://www.councilpedia.org/index.php?title=Major_Supporters_%28Bill_de_Blasio%29">list of largest contributors</a> shows a preponderance of unions and attorneys. </p>
<p>For 2013, he again has some <a href="http://www.councilpedia.org/index.php?title=Real_Estate_Industry_2013_%28Through_January_2011%29_%28Bill_de_Blasio%29">real estate money</a> &#8212; notably $4,950 from Jeffrey Lynford of <a href="http://www.reis.com/index.cfm">REIS</a>, a real estate formation company, who also gave generously to de Blasio&#8217;s 2009 campaign, and $4,950 from <a href="http://people.forbes.com/profile/elzie-l-higginbottom/148951">Elzie Higginbottom</a>, a Chicago developer. His <a href="http://www.councilpedia.org/index.php?title=Major_Supporters_2013_%28Through_January_2011%29_%28Bill_de_Blasio%29">major contributors</a> for 2013 so far are a fairly eclectic group, although, again, he has donations from unions.</p>
<p>This could, of course, change when de Blasio &#8212; like all other 2013 candidates for any city office &#8212; file disclosure forms later this month that will cover any money received in the first half of this year. But Quinn&#8217;s support is not altogether surprising. During much of the past six years she has <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/fea/20070723/202/2236">allied herself</a> with Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who the real estate industry generally supports (they don&#8217;t have to give him money though) and she has also taken many pro-business stands, most notably <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/searchlight/20101015/203/3384">blocking a vote on a bill</a> that would have required paid sick leave for workers in the five boroughs.</p>
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