HVHF Marcellus Drilling & Fracking is Not Safe
New York’s Health Department Completes Public Health Review of Marcellus Drilling & Fracking — It is Not Safe!
“And for what? For a little bit of money. There’s more to life than a little money, you know. Don’tcha know that? And here ya are, and it’s a beautiful day. Well. I just don’t understand it.” Movie buffs may recognize those words as belonging to Marge Gundersun (played by Frances McDormand) as she surveyed the carnage of a serial killer in the Coen brothers movie, Fargo.
I think of that quote when I consider fracking. Fracking wrecks communities. It poisons drinking water, releases carcinogenic compounds into the air, and destroys quality of life and land value. Those individuals who profit from this industry know that. So the negative health impacts may be less dramatic than the murders of Fargo, but the concept is the same. Fracking activities are harming others for the sake of money. Well. I just don’t understand it.
So, now that New York State has completed its “public health review” of Marcellus drilling and fracking, it’s time for WV, PA, OH and MD to go in a new direction. Consideration of the public health, as well as the earth (air, water, streams, rivers, lakes, soils, roads, farms, and residential neighborhoods), should be the primary focus before profits to the major corporations.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation has issued the following press release:
New York State Department of Health Completes Review of High-volume Hydraulic Fracturing
>>> Acting DOH Commissioner Zucker Recommends Activity Should Not Move Forward in New York State
>>> DEC Commissioner Martens Will Issue a Findings Statement Early Next Year to Prohibit High-Volume Hydraulic Fracturing
The state Department of Health has completed its “public health review of high-volume hydraulic fracturing (HVHF)” and Acting DOH Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker recommended that high-volume hydraulic fracturing should not move forward in New York State. Dr. Zucker announced his findings and recommendations today at a Cabinet Meeting in Albany.
“I have considered all of the data and find significant questions and risks to public health which as of yet are unanswered,” said Dr. Zucker. “I think it would be reckless to proceed in New York until more authoritative research is done. I asked myself, ‘would I let my family live in a community with fracking?’ The answer is no. I therefore cannot recommend anyone else’s family to live in such a community either.”
In 2012, Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens asked the DOH Commissioner to conduct a review of the draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement for High-Volume Hydraulic Fracturing (SGEIS). Dr. Zucker’s report fulfills that request.
As a result of Dr. Zucker’s report, Commissioner Martens stated at the Cabinet Meeting today that he will issue a legally binding findings statement that will prohibit HVHF in New York State at this time.
“For the past six years, DEC has examined the significant environmental impacts that could result from high-volume hydraulic fracturing,” DEC Commissioner Joe Martens said. “DEC’s own review identified dozens of potential significant adverse impacts of HVHF. Further, with the exclusion of sensitive natural, cultural and historic resources and the increasing number of towns that have enacted bans and moratoria, the risks substantially outweigh any potential economic benefits of HVHF. Considering the research, public comments, relevant studies, Dr. Zucker’s report and the enormous record DEC has amassed on this issue, I have directed my staff to complete the final SGEIS. Once that is complete, I will prohibit high-volume hydraulic fracturing in New York State at this time.”
DEC will incorporate the findings of the public health review into the Final SGEIS, which will be released with a response to public comments early next year. A minimum of 10 days later, Commissioner Martens will issue the findings statement prohibiting HVHF. This action will conclude the State Environmental Quality Review Act process for HVHF.
DOH’s review found significant uncertainties about: the adverse health outcomes that may be associated with HVHF; the likelihood of occurrence of adverse health outcomes; and the adequacy of mitigation measures to protect public health. DOH’s report concludes that it will be years until science and research provide sufficient information to determine the level of risk HVHF poses to public health and whether those risks can be adequately mitigated. Given the red flags raised by current studies, absent conclusive studies that disprove health concerns, the report states the activity should not proceed in New York State.
In conducting its public health review, DOH reviewed and evaluated scientific literature, sought input from outside public health experts, engaged in field visits and discussions with health and environmental authorities in nearly all states where HVHF activity is taking place, and communicated with local, state, federal, international, academic, environmental and public health stakeholders. DOH’s review (1.54 MB) can be found at:
http://www.health.ny.gov/press/reports/docs/high_volume_hydraulic_fracturing.pdf
At the Cabinet meeting, Governor Cuomo thanked the Commissioners and their respective departments for their work.
Point Your RSS Reader to FrackCheckWV.net/feed/
