Joint statement by New Yorkers Against Fracking, Josh Fox, New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) and Catskill Citizens for Safe Energy:
“We are deeply disturbed by reports today that the New York Department of Environmental Conservation gave early access and worked with the oil and gas industry to draft proposed fracking regulations last fall. Governor Cuomo was elected on promises to clean up Albany and keep special interests from dictating public policy. Further, Governor Cuomo has repeatedly stated his commitment to allowing the science to inform the DEC’s decision on fracking. The revelation that DEC officials secretly communicated with the oil and gas industry to write fracking regulations represents a grave ethical lapse that calls into question the integrity of the state’s hydrofracking review and any proposed final regulations.
New Yorkers deserve a transparent environmental review process that puts the health and safety of our communities front and center, not a set of regulations written behind closed doors with the industry being regulated. The Governor is responsible for maintaining the integrity of this process, and it is incumbent on him to act swiftly to restore the public trust. To that end, we call on Governor Cuomo to immediately withdraw the DEC’s draft supplemental generic environmental impact statement, and instruct the DEC to initiate a fresh environmental review process based on science not undue influence from industry lobbyists.”
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