The Buffalo Common Council, which unanimously voted to ban hydraulic fracturing in the city, hosted an anti-fracking organization during a news conference today in City Hall.
Council Majority Leader Demone A. Smith said even if Buffalo isn't a prime candidate for fracking, upstate officials should stick together.
The news conference was organized by Elected Officials to Protect New York, and was attended by Smith and Council Members Michael J. LoCurto and David A. Rivera. Also in attendance were Elizabeth Weberg, deputy mayor of East Aurora, and Patrick Murphy, a council member from Colden. Dominic Frongillo, deputy supervisor of Carolina in Tompkins County organized Elected Officials to Protect New York.
The officials called on the state for further study before fracking is permitted, and also called on the state to release a health study.
"We encourage the governor to ban fracking in New York state," Rivera said, adding later: "There is a distrust based on the lack of information right now."
Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a process of extracting natural gas from deep inside shale formations. Proponents note its economic benefits and the clean nature of natural gas. Those in attendance today said they were concerned about effects on public health and infrastructure, including on fresh water supplies and roads and bridges.
tagged
Andrew Cuomo | Common Council | David Rivera | Demone Smith | Hydrofracking | Michael LoCurto
