Cuomo Will Seek to Lift Ban on Hydraulic Fracturing

[SecularMotion]

Source: NY Times

The Cuomo administration is expected to lift what has been, in effect, a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing, a controversial technology used to extract natural gas from shale, people briefed on the administration’s discussions said.

Administration officials are discussing maintaining a ban on the process inside New York City’s sprawling upstate watershed, as well as a watershed used by the city of Syracuse, according to people briefed on the plan. But by allowing the process in other parts of the state, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo would open up New York to one of the fastest-growing — critics would say reckless — areas of the energy industry.

When the decision will be made public is less certain. On Friday, the State Department of Environmental Conservation is due to release a long-awaited study of the process, widely known as hydrofracking. But it was unclear if the Cuomo administration would use the occasion to announce its broader policy plans related to the issue as well. The report will likely include recommendations, and then there will be a period for public comments before a final determination can be made.

Hydrofracking has spurred intense protests from environmental activists, who say it threatens the cleanliness of ground water. The process involves injecting large volumes of water, mixed with sand and chemicals, deep into the ground to break up rock formations and release natural gas. It is legal in a number of other states, including Pennsylvania.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/01/nyregion/cuomo-will-seek-to-lift-drilling-ban.html?_r=1&hp

[w4rma]

1. BAD. This decision could contaminate New York's entire water supply. (nt)

[truebrit71]

4. Yup. He obviously hasn't seen 'Gasland'....

...that should be compulsory viewing before allowing any decision on fracking is made...

[Fuddnik]

2. There goes all of his goodwill.

[The Traveler]

3. A foolish choice

Aside from the horrible consequences of which we are aware, history has shown the potential for such operations to bear all manner of unforeseen consequences. In any event, we know enough to know fracking is a bad idea.

It disappoints me that Mr.Cuomo's judgement in this regard is so lacking.

Trav

[izquierdista]

6. It's all part of a plan

This will replace the winter heating assistance for low-income people. Just turn on the kitchen faucet and voila! all the heat you could want.

[TheWraith]

5. Cuomo is making a lot of bad environmental decisions. nt

[dbackjon]

7. Awful

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

8. Well, at least I hope he's making a good chunk of change out of this. After all

people's health and lives shouldn't be cheap. :eyes:

[MikeMc]

9. +1 S.M. -1 Cuomo. nt

[DLnyc]

10. A. Cuomo: good on gay marriage, Republican on the rest.

He ran with a promise not to raise taxes on the super-wealthy, environmentally he sucks (see OP), deep cuts and no chance of raising revenue from those making millions on our demise.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

12. I'd call him useless. But he seems to be very useful....

for the rich.

[CakeGrrl]

23. Goes to show: One issue does not a Progressive hero make. -nt

[CrossChris]

24. That's the DLC way. Cuomo took his fair share of Koch money, just like other DLC'ers.

And don't let them tell you these guys went away just because the DLC shut down its official operations.

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Boudica the Lyoness]

13. When the ground water goes bad there is going

to a new group of billionaires..the ones with the clean water. Water will be far more valuable than oil.

We have major deep wells here on our place and I will get in on the new boom...till our aquifer goes bad. lol ...but crying at the same time.

[awoke_in_2003]

15. The billionaires will have clean water...

for themselves- the will sell us the tainted stuff.

[Boudica the Lyoness]

18. Yep, that's more like it.

:(

[Javaman]

14. oh cuomo, you had such potential. why did you go and blow your foot off with a bazooka? nt

[Jim Lane]

16. I'd say I regret having voted for him, except for one thing....

The Republican candidate for Governor made Michele Bachmann look stable and sensible.

[defendandprotect]

17. Cuomo is insane to do such a thing -- KBR is still behind this? Poisoning our water?

[somone]

19. "Let them drink Perrier"

W.T.F.

[Nihil]

20. What an ace eh?

"Fuck you, I've got mine!" writ large across the political spectrum.

:grr:

[robcon]

21. Good to hear. I think Cuomo is the best leader the Democratic Party has.

He probably knows how the environmental study came out.

[Heywood J]

22. Good to hear? Did you really say that? (NT)

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

25. At first I thought your entire posting history here was brilliant satire.

I'm now beginning to wonder.