____________________________________ From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Sent: 3/2/2015 2:57:59 P.M. Eastern Standard Time Subj: Revised Listing of Bans and Moratoria Dear Colleague, More than 65%of the citizenry praised New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's action last December when he moved to settle the longstanding debate over hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, in New York State by _issuing an all-out ban_ (http://news.yahoo.com/york-state-bans-fracking-215559774.html%20) on the destructive gas-extraction method. The attached information lists municipalities and organizations where a proactive home-rule position was taken that influenced the decision that was reached. Though this review is comprehensive, it may not include a few communities where action was contemplated or had taken place. As of March 2nd 2015, the NYSDEC has not released their findings in studying the “health impacts and/or the science†behind the governor’s announcement, and no official ordinance(s) have been promulgated. However, every good faith indication is that the announcement is tantamount to the decision being a fait accompli, as legislative action will be formalized in the spring of 2015. Despite the fact that HVHF drilling has been prohibited for health and safety reasons in the Empire State, the storage, transport and deposit of radioactive and/or toxic waste and infrastructure (i.e. pipelines) have not been restricted. The NYSDEC still supports the use of frack brine on the roads for ice and dust control. Therefore it behooves those municipalities who have moratoria in place or who wish to protect the health, welfare and safety of their citizens and guests to enact zoning ordinances to prohibit the activities of energy companies who both use and still plan to utilize NYS landfills for the deposit of toxic waste (manufactured water and drill cuttings) use and abuse (frack brine) of the roadways for transport, and utilize inactive well and salt caverns for storage of LP gas. On the same day that Governor Cuomo announced his prohibition of HVHF drilling in NYS, Penfield held a scheduled an open meeting to receive comments from residents on changing their moratorium to a prohibition/ban. The following week, the ban was enacted. The law also prohibited the disposal of gas and petroleum extraction wastes within the town, including disposing waste water in injection wells and spreading well brine on Penfield's roads. I strongly urge you to follow their example. Sincere Best wishes, Joe Joseph Hoff, Chairman Keuka Citizens Against Hydrofracking **************************************** On a personal note, five+ years ago I made a six-months commitment to study the issues surrounding HVHF drilling and its appurtenant activities. During that time the modest bans and moratoria listing I began has grown from 2pages of data to 26. This modest compilation has been a featured offering on 80+ websites in 45 states and is used throughout North America, Europe and Africa. Going “viral†can be good stuff! Work on committees in our two communities resulted in bans in both and support for an area-wide moratorium (with substantive zoning ordinances) in all but one community in the Keuka Lake region. Yet there is more to do. The Committee of Towns (we are ready and willing to share our experience and grass-roots successes with you) invites you to contact us to see how we may help you to protect the health, welfare and safety of your neighbors and communities. For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ If you have questions about this list please contact the list manager, Tom Shelley, at [email protected].
3-2-15BansMoratoriaStatementsRevision.pdf
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