Binghamton, NY; February 12, 2013
The Speakers (in order of appearance): Isaac Silberman-Gorn, Matt Ryan, Gerri Wiley, Chris Burger, Logan Adsit, Captain Ray Lewis, Aubrey Clark, Vera Scroggins, Craig Stevens, Renee Vogelsang, Emily Bishop, Sandra Steingraber
Press Release from Isaac Silberman-Gorn of Citizen Action:
Scientists/Health Professionals, Environmental and
Grassroots Organizations Denounce Cuomo’s Rumored Plan for Fracking Test
Project
Groups will reject proposal for Southern Tier residents
to be human test subjects in fracking experiment
Binghamton- Today,
Southern Tier residents were joined by local elected officials, scientists, and
health professionals, including Dr. Sandra Steingraber, City of Binghamton
Mayor, Matt Ryan, Craig Stevens, resident of Silver Lake Township, Logan Adsit,
a Chenango County mother, Gerri Wiley, a Tioga County Registered Nurse and
Chris Burger, Chair of Binghamton Regional Sustainaiblity Coalition to denounce
Governor Cuomo's rumored plan for a fracking test project.
Governor Cuomo is
weighing whether or not to allow fracking in New York State with a decision
imminent. Rather than undertake a comprehensive health impact assessment of
fracking that would involve transparency and public participation, the Cuomo
administration instead hired outside experts to review its own secretive health
review. The administration has refused to release any substantive information
to the public on its review – nearly all information about it has only become
known through leaks to the media – and the outside experts have been silenced
by non-disclosure agreements. It has been suggested that the Cuomo
administration is considering the approval of a fracking test project with up
to 40 wells.
Isaac
Silberman-Gorn with Citizen Action
stated “Governor Cuomo: Your entire process has been frustratingly opaque. This
is unacceptable, given that our health and well-being is at stake. We call for
a comprehensive health impact assessment, with public participation at all
every step, starting with the scope of the assessment. A true comprehensive
health impact assessment would lead you to the conclusion that fracking cannot
be done safely.”
“There is an ongoing
demonstration project in my neighborhood.” Said Susquehanna County
resident Vera Scroggins. “Industry had drilled nearly 9000 wells
and has 3000 violations, with one well having 26.”
Logan Adsit from South Otselic in Chenango County stated: "I am
a mother to a one year old little boy. Governor Cuomo seems to be unconcerned
about the effects of natural gas drilling on my child’s health and future life
on this earth. How do I explain to my son that his town board and his own state
Governor had the chance to protect him with a ban on fracking but chose not to
purely due to financial incentives?
Niru Anne, MD, FACS. Board Certified General Surgeon;
Fellowship/Specialty Trained Cancer Surgeon. She is one amongst 6 Surgeons in the
entire state of New York to be Certified by the American Society of Breast
Surgeons in Stereotactic Biopsy Procedures, and stated: "As a Surgeon
Trained in the Biology, Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment of Cancer, I
am requesting that New York State conduct a comprehensive health impact
assessment on the effects of Hydaulic Fractioning prior to considering drilling
in our communities. As Physicians and Scientists we are requesting
for data which is currently lacking on the Health Impacts of gas drilling".
Dr. Sandra
Steingraber stated: “"The
Finger Lakes and the Southern Tier are two branches of the same tree. We share
water, air, and food. And, united, we say no to an industry that uses our land
as its factory floor, that wrecks our climate, that offers only the fool's gold
of temporary riches for a few and permanent ruin for many. United, we proclaim
that any industry that relies on secret chemicals and secret health studies has
no business in our community. Governor Cuomo: stand with us."
With so much visible
and vocal public opposition to fracking, it is unthinkable that Governor Cuomo
may go ahead and approve any plan which opens the Southern Tier to this
invasive industry. A recent Siena Poll found more people in the Southern Tier
than anywhere else in the State would be unhappy if fracking went forward.
There have been repeated calls on the Governor for a more transparent and
thorough health review. Residents in the Southern Tier call on the Governor to
recognize that if fracking is not safe for the NYC and Syracuse watersheds, it
cannot be safe here. Vestal Residents for Safe Energy joins Save The SouthernTier and New Yorkers Against Fracking in opposing any test well project here. We
demand that the Governor open up the health review to include public
participation and comment, to not finalize the sham sGEIS on February 13th and
to let the fatally flawed regulations expire on February 27th.
