CANCELED: Groups Call on NYS Assembly to Pass "Timeout" for Fracking for Natural Gas

ALBANY, NY (11/24/2010)(readMedia)-- THIS EVENT IS CANCELED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

On November 29th, dozens of conservation, community, environmental and public health groups will travel to Albany to call on the New York State Assembly to pass legislation that would suspend Department of Environmental Conservation-issued permits for the practice of hydraulic fracturing, often called "fracking," for natural gas.

The State Senate passed the bill to formally bar the DEC from issuing permits for the practice earlier this year.

WHO:

Dozens of representatives from several environmental groups will be calling on the New York State Assembly to call a "timeout" on fracking for natural gas. Confirmed speakers include Ulster County Legislator Susan Zimmet, representatives of FrackAction, representatives of the Sierra Club—Atlantic Chapter, Katherine Nadeau of Environmental Advocates of New York.

WHAT:

New York is a battleground in the national debate about natural gas drilling and an environmentally dangerous technique for extracting gas from underground shale deposits known as hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. Fracking-related accidents across the country have contaminated drinking water, created air quality hazards and violations, and polluted streams.

The State Senate recognized the potential dangers of fracking by passing the measure earlier this year. The legislation will suspend the issuance of permits to hydraulically fracture wells in New York until May 15, 2011. In addition to providing the incoming governor and his administration with an opportunity for a fresh look at the issues surrounding natural gas development, this suspension would also provide the State Legislature with the chance to make necessary changes to the state’s oil and gas permitting program.

WHEN: Monday November 29, 2010 at 01:00PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
WHERE: LCA Press Room
Room 130
Legislative Office Buidling
Albany, New York 12204
NOTES:

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.