Your snail mail letters have paid off! There is now a ban on high volume hydraulic fracturing in New York State. Governor Cuomo based his decision on the State Health Commissioner, Howard Zucker’s recommendation that drilling could cause “significant public health risks”. However, low volume fracking (using less than 300,000 gallons of water) is still allowed and gas infrastructure build-out is continuing.

It is important that Governor Cuomo hear from you to stress that there should be a pause on the fossil fuel infrastucture build-out. Pipelines, compressors, gas-fired power facilities, gas storage, ‘bomb trains’ permitting should be slowed way down…here’s some specific points to request:

• Deny the Seneca Lake gas storage permit – the salt caverns have damaged roof sections, any misteps with this high pressure liquid gas storage can result in destruction of Seneca Lake that supplies water for over 100,000 people, water that supports a wine industry worth over $4 billion and turn the lake salty and polluted.
• Deny the 401 water quality permit to the Constitution Pipeline – which is slated to trench through 277 streams and waterways and cut down a million trees in pristine areas, all to export the gas with no New York benefit. This is not consistent with protecting high quality water in NY.

Please call his office at: (518) 474-8390

Or email at: gov.cuomo@chamber.state.ny.us

Postal mail address is:

The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo
Governor of New York State
NYS State Capitol Building
Albany, NY 12224

* Postal letters are the most effective way to voice your concerns because legislators believe people who take the time to send an actual letter are more likely to vote. Politicians view just one postal letter as representing the sentiments of 100 voters. If you feel overwhelmed at the thought of writing a letter, we’ll be happy to help you. Although the letter must be your own words and thoughts, it can be short. Please feel free to let us know if you want some assistance putting those words and thoughts together! (845) 252-6677 or email dcs@DamascusCitizens.org.

Remember – one of the only things that can affect the outcome of fossil fuel poitics is YOUR voice. When legislators hear from their constituents they listen, especially when the numbers start to mount. As with gas drilling, the cumulative impact makes all the difference.

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More reason to stop the Constitution pipeline:

• NY DEC requested that the Constitution Pipeline Company find a utility corridor routing that is not a greenway (unspoiled forest or agricultural land with no industrial footprint). The company ignored this request.
• NY DEC requested all wetland crossings be drilled. The company said they’d trench instead, in violation of federal, state and industry guidelines.
• No gas distribution for central NY will accrue. Instead, all the gas in this pipeline is going to Canada via Iroquois So-No in Wright. This violates George W. Bush’s executive order about the use of eminent domain for private gain.
• A thousand acres – that’s almost a million trees cut.
• 277 streams trenched, which will result in water quality degradation, species impacts and an exacerbation of flooding.
• Loss of tourism and farming along the route and loss of land value. Only a few full time jobs gained.
• Destruction of native archaeological sites.