ALBANY – The State Department of Environmental
Conservation Monday officially banned hydro-fracking in New York by issuing
its formal findings statement.
That document concludes that there are no feasible or prudent alternatives
that adequately avoid or minimize adverse environmental impacts and address
risks to public health from this activity.
Catskill Mountainkeeper was one of the many organizations opposed to fracking.
“This gives new meaning to the bumper sticker ‘I Love New
York,” said the group’s program director, Wesley Gillingham.
“It’s really encouraging to see a government agency look at
the science and look the information the people across New York supplied
with them to show that this is not safe to our health and environment
and said no,” he said.
No everyone supported a ban on fracking. The oil industry and others
said a ban will cost the state hundreds, if not, thousands of jobs and
a needed fuel source.
