To: Governor Andrew Cuomo
Gov. Coumo, Make Fracking fair and safe
If fracking is permitted in NY State, it must be safe and innocuous. Therefore the following conditions MUST be attached to any permitting legislation:
1. Fracking must be permitted in ANY community that does not ban it. No exceptions for specific watersheds since it will be deemed safe.
2. Before and after studies of water quality must be conducted by an independent entity, and fully paid for by the Fracking company, before fracking is initiated. The spacing and frequency of testing must be established by environmental regulation.
3. Home Owner's insurance companies authorized to do business in NY State must provide insurance for any damage caused by fracking, including degraded well water quality. Any increase in premiums should be paid for by a NY State fund, which is financed by a fee imposed upon fracking companies.
4. Any waste water from the fracking process must be processed by the fracking company to remove ALL contaminants, so that it is suitable for drinking water. An EPA approved site must be used for the remaining contaminants, if they cannot be recycled. This must be done under auspices of NY State on site inspection, paid for by the fracking company.
5. Insurance must be purchased by the fracking company to cover the cost of restoration of any aquifer or watershed, if contaminated. The ability of the insurance company to cover any losses must by established by the office of the NY State Comptroller.
6. The introduction of noise and light to rural areas must not be permitted.
7. The fracking companies must establish a fund to fully repair or upgrade roads and highways, as many are not designed for heavy truck loads.
8. The fracking companies must provide full transparency of all their records and processes, including full disclosure of chemicals introduced as well as present in waste water.
9 Methane leakage must be limited. It should be noted that the greenhouse gas impact matches that of coal if only 4% of the gas retrieved leaks.
10. Before and after measurements of air quality must be recorded at sites in the vicinity of fracking wells.
11. Provisions must be published for unexpected infrequent events, such as for example, earthquakes and terrorist attacks that can damage the integrity of wells and casings.
1. Fracking must be permitted in ANY community that does not ban it. No exceptions for specific watersheds since it will be deemed safe.
2. Before and after studies of water quality must be conducted by an independent entity, and fully paid for by the Fracking company, before fracking is initiated. The spacing and frequency of testing must be established by environmental regulation.
3. Home Owner's insurance companies authorized to do business in NY State must provide insurance for any damage caused by fracking, including degraded well water quality. Any increase in premiums should be paid for by a NY State fund, which is financed by a fee imposed upon fracking companies.
4. Any waste water from the fracking process must be processed by the fracking company to remove ALL contaminants, so that it is suitable for drinking water. An EPA approved site must be used for the remaining contaminants, if they cannot be recycled. This must be done under auspices of NY State on site inspection, paid for by the fracking company.
5. Insurance must be purchased by the fracking company to cover the cost of restoration of any aquifer or watershed, if contaminated. The ability of the insurance company to cover any losses must by established by the office of the NY State Comptroller.
6. The introduction of noise and light to rural areas must not be permitted.
7. The fracking companies must establish a fund to fully repair or upgrade roads and highways, as many are not designed for heavy truck loads.
8. The fracking companies must provide full transparency of all their records and processes, including full disclosure of chemicals introduced as well as present in waste water.
9 Methane leakage must be limited. It should be noted that the greenhouse gas impact matches that of coal if only 4% of the gas retrieved leaks.
10. Before and after measurements of air quality must be recorded at sites in the vicinity of fracking wells.
11. Provisions must be published for unexpected infrequent events, such as for example, earthquakes and terrorist attacks that can damage the integrity of wells and casings.
Why is this important?
Many loopholes have appeared that may enable Fracking to be a burden on taxpayers and citizens. These should be fully addressed before Fracking is permitted.