Extend the Public Comment Period

On Wednesday, the NYS DEC will release the last section of the Revised Draft SGEIS on the Oil, Gas and Solution Mining Regulatory Program which already runs to well over one thousand pages.   While there’s abundant evidence that hydrofracking should be prohibited, it’s unlikely that we’ll see a ban in New York any time soon. In the short term, we must do everything we can to forestall unsafe drilling while continuing to build public awareness, so that elected officials will eventually be forced to do their job and protect the public.

Right now, this means focusing our efforts on getting the NYS DEC to give the public ample time to read, analyze and comment on the Draft. Please take action and demand at least 180 days to read, analyze, and comment on this highly technical document.

An extended public comment period will give us time to formulate tens of thousands of substantive comments, which the DEC is required by law to read and address. Comments submitted on the first Draft SGEIS occupied the DEC for more than a year. We can do it again!

Commenting on the Draft: A Workshop Conducted by Roger Downs

Residents of the Upper Delaware region are invited to attend a free workshop led by Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter’s Roger Downs. Roger is one of our most knowledgeable experts on the draft SGEIS, and with his guidance, ordinary citizens will be able to submit the type of comments that will force the DEC to rethink its disastrous plan to frack New York. Don’t miss this chance to make a difference. Attend the two-hour workshop:

Saturday, September 3 10 a.m.-Noon
The Old North Branch Inn
North Branch, New York

To RSVP, and for more information, call (845) 468-7063, or email [email protected]

Gas, or Hot Air?

For the past several years, industry “experts” have been constantly inflating the estimated amount of gas in the Marcellus Shale. This week, the United States Geological Survey popped the bubble. It released a report stating Marcellus shale gas reserves are only 20 percent of the amount estimated by the federal government just last April!

No doubt, the USGS report will intensify ongoing investigations into whether gas companies have been deceiving investors by exaggerating the amount of shale gas in the Marcellus.

Heroes & Villains

At first glance, freshman New York State Senator Greg Ball (R,C) might not appear to be the most likely person to turn the tide in Albany, but he’s boldly stepped forward to challenge the Cuomo Administration’s headlong rush to frack. Given his party affiliation, Senator Ball may be the one to finally spur the do-nothing Senate to take action.

After caving to pressure and removing the billboard depicting water from the well of Craig and Julie Sautner, billboard company Park Outdoor Advertising made cowardice its official company policy. It will no longer accept advertising from citizens who are concerned about the health and safety risks associated with fracking. In an email, Vice President Sam Salamida wrote, “corporate has decided due to the fact we are not a editorial medium, we are not taking any issue content copy anymore.”

Let’s see if this ban on “editorial” content applies to industry ads for “clean” natural gas.

We Need Your Cash to Fight Big Gas

Save the Date! Our fourth annual fundraiser will be held on Saturday September 17th at 6 pm in the Delaware Youth Center, Callicoon, New York. Join us for a potluck supper, live music, raffles and more.

Two out of three people who find out about fracking think the risks aren’t worth the rewards.

Public awareness is the key to our success, so spread the word!

Please donate to Catskill Citizens for Safe Energy.