(photo: Adam Welz for CREDO Action via Flickr)
Oct 01, 2012
Is New York on its way to ban fracking?
Danny Hakim reports for the New York Times on Monday that recent "developments have created a sense in Albany that Mr. Cuomo is consigning fracking to oblivion."
Ten days ago, after nearly four years of review by state regulators, the governor bowed to entreaties from environmentalists to conduct another study, this one an examination of potential impacts on public health. Neither the governor nor other state officials have given any indication of how long the study might take.
Then on Friday, state environmental officials said they would restart the regulatory rule-making process, requiring them to repeat a number of formal steps, including holding a public hearing, and almost certainly pushing a decision into next year.
Kate Sinding, an attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council, says the delay "is encouraging news, and suggests that they are not intending to inappropriately rush the health study," the Associated Press reports.
Cuomo has been facing fierce opposition to fracking, with the anti-fracking movement gaining the support of environmental activist and writer Bill McKibben as well as filmmaker Josh Fox, who documented the impacts of fracking in Gasland, among others.
Writing in The Nation, Nicholas Kusnetz says:
A decision by Cuomo to ban fracking would be momentous. A decision to maintain a moratorium pending yet further review, less so--although an increasingly restive anti-fracking movement is unlikely to let any review process pass quietly. For those living above the shale, the stakes could not be higher. "It's one of those decisions," McKibben said, "that will be recorded in geologic time."
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Is New York on its way to ban fracking?
Danny Hakim reports for the New York Times on Monday that recent "developments have created a sense in Albany that Mr. Cuomo is consigning fracking to oblivion."
Ten days ago, after nearly four years of review by state regulators, the governor bowed to entreaties from environmentalists to conduct another study, this one an examination of potential impacts on public health. Neither the governor nor other state officials have given any indication of how long the study might take.
Then on Friday, state environmental officials said they would restart the regulatory rule-making process, requiring them to repeat a number of formal steps, including holding a public hearing, and almost certainly pushing a decision into next year.
Kate Sinding, an attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council, says the delay "is encouraging news, and suggests that they are not intending to inappropriately rush the health study," the Associated Press reports.
Cuomo has been facing fierce opposition to fracking, with the anti-fracking movement gaining the support of environmental activist and writer Bill McKibben as well as filmmaker Josh Fox, who documented the impacts of fracking in Gasland, among others.
Writing in The Nation, Nicholas Kusnetz says:
A decision by Cuomo to ban fracking would be momentous. A decision to maintain a moratorium pending yet further review, less so--although an increasingly restive anti-fracking movement is unlikely to let any review process pass quietly. For those living above the shale, the stakes could not be higher. "It's one of those decisions," McKibben said, "that will be recorded in geologic time."
Is New York on its way to ban fracking?
Danny Hakim reports for the New York Times on Monday that recent "developments have created a sense in Albany that Mr. Cuomo is consigning fracking to oblivion."
Ten days ago, after nearly four years of review by state regulators, the governor bowed to entreaties from environmentalists to conduct another study, this one an examination of potential impacts on public health. Neither the governor nor other state officials have given any indication of how long the study might take.
Then on Friday, state environmental officials said they would restart the regulatory rule-making process, requiring them to repeat a number of formal steps, including holding a public hearing, and almost certainly pushing a decision into next year.
Kate Sinding, an attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council, says the delay "is encouraging news, and suggests that they are not intending to inappropriately rush the health study," the Associated Press reports.
Cuomo has been facing fierce opposition to fracking, with the anti-fracking movement gaining the support of environmental activist and writer Bill McKibben as well as filmmaker Josh Fox, who documented the impacts of fracking in Gasland, among others.
Writing in The Nation, Nicholas Kusnetz says:
A decision by Cuomo to ban fracking would be momentous. A decision to maintain a moratorium pending yet further review, less so--although an increasingly restive anti-fracking movement is unlikely to let any review process pass quietly. For those living above the shale, the stakes could not be higher. "It's one of those decisions," McKibben said, "that will be recorded in geologic time."
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.