80 eco-groups ask Cuomo to ban fracking in New York

From Food & Water Watch and Americans Against Fracking:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 7, 2013

Contact: Mandela Jones, 646.200.5316, Mandela@berlinrosen.com


Over 80 National and NY Organizations Concerned about Climate Change Challenge Gov. Cuomo on Contradiction between His Environmental Priorities and Fracking

Letter from groups highlights climate and environmental impact of natural gas production, calls for Cuomo to lead on climate change as state recovers from Sandy


New York – A coalition of national environmental and progressive groups – including 350.org, Center for Biological Diversity, Democracy for America, Greenpeace and Sierra Club – joined with other national and New York organizations to send Governor Cuomo a letter challenging him to be a national leader in addressing climate change. The letter applauds his stated commitment to addressing climate change and environmental protection, but highlights how permitting fracking in New York would contradict those goals.

“While we welcome your determination to lead on climate change, we are greatly concerned by indications that you may soon allow high-volume hydraulic fracturing (HVHF) in New York,” the letter asserted. “A decision to allow HVHF would be a direct contradiction of your promise to lead on climate change. Opening New York’s doors to this form of extreme fossil fuel extraction undercuts your pledge to make environmental protection, including initiatives that address climate change, a legislative priority.”

The coalition’s letter explained the environmental impact natural gas production and use has with respect to climate change in clear terms, stating:

“The carbon dioxide emitted from burning natural gas contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions driving global climate change. And, in addition to carbon dioxide, HVHF releases significant amounts of methane into the atmosphere during the extraction, transport, and processing of the gas.

“Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, 33 times more efficient at trapping heat than carbon dioxide over 100 years, and about 100 times more potent than carbon dioxide over 20 years. As such, even small amounts of gas leaked into the atmosphere make enormous contributions to global warming. Increasing evidence, including a study led by researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, indicates that methane emissions from HVHF and related operations have been significantly underestimated by both the gas industry and the Environmental Protection Agency.”

In the days after the letter was circulated, new data from researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration showed methane leaks from natural gas production at an alarming rate that was twice as high as its previous study and industry estimates. Such evidence further undermines arguments about natural gas’ environmental benefit and this data doesn’t even include the methane leaks that occur from storage and pipelines.

“Given the magnitude of these emissions and proof of their demonstrable harm to our atmosphere, dependence on natural gas, and thus on HVHF, dashes any chance of keeping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere at levels below what scientists say are necessary to avoid climate catastrophe,” the letter continued. “And yet, inexplicably, your Department of Environmental Conservation has not closely examined the issue of greenhouse gas emissions in evaluating the environmental impact of opening up New York State to HVHF.”

In closing, the letter urges Cuomo to stand by his words on climate change in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy and protect future generations, thereby achieving a national legacy of political courage, rather than permitting fracking in New York.

“Governor Cuomo, your vow in the New York Daily News on November 15th inspired us: ‘We will not allow the national paralysis over climate change to stop us from pursuing the necessary path for the future.’ If you truly put these words into practice, we feel sure that you will be hailed as a national hero, securing a legacy and a political future as a leader who cut through the political gridlock in order to act in the best interests of your constituents and generations to come. By contrast, opening up the state of New York to HVHF is a path leading away from that future.”

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January 7, 2013
The Honorable Andrew Cuomo

Governor of New York State

NYS Capitol Building

Albany, NY 12224

Dear Governor Cuomo,

We, the undersigned organizations and experts, applaud your recent commitment to confront the global climate change crisis. In the wake of Tropical Storms Irene and Lee, and as recovery from Superstorm Sandy continues, New Yorkers are already suffering the human life and economic consequences of extreme weather events. As you’ve correctly observed, this run of disastrous storms is an “undeniable” wake up call to the reality of climate change. We are heartened that you have committed to leading on climate change and that you have made "environmental protection and initiatives that address our changing climate" one of your administration’s key priorities. While rebuilding from these recent disasters, you have an opportunity to lead the nation by crafting energy policies that would make New York more resilient to future extreme weather events and that would, at the same time, address their root cause – greenhouse gas emissions.

New York State is poised to become a national leader in the roll-out and development of clean energy. In addition to being the only responsible course of action, deploying proven clean energy and energy efficiency solutions — along with investing in research to bring continuous improvements to these solutions — would bring jobs and capital to regions across the state. In setting this course, you would enjoy widespread support from New Yorkers. Nearly 70 percent of New York residents believe that Irene, Lee, and Sandy are tied to climate change. As well, a growing majority of Americans — nearly 4 out of every 5 in a recent poll – see global warming as a serious problem. We stand ready to work with you to pioneer a clean energy future for New York State.

While we welcome your determination to lead on climate change, we are greatly concerned by indications that you may soon allow high-volume hydraulic fracturing (HVHF) in New York for extracting natural gas from deep-lying shale formations. A decision to allow HVHF would be a direct contradiction of your promise to lead on climate change. Opening New York’s doors to this form of extreme fossil fuel extraction undercuts your pledge to make environmental protection, including initiatives that address climate change, a legislative priority.

The carbon dioxide emitted from burning natural gas contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions driving global climate change (Myhrvold and Caldeira, 2012). And, in addition to carbon dioxide, HVHF releases significant amounts of methane into the atmosphere during the extraction, transport, and processing of the gas. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, 33 times more efficient at trapping heat than carbon dioxide over 100 years, and about 100 times more potent than carbon dioxide over 20 years (Shindell et al. 2009). As such, even small amounts of gas leaked into the atmosphere make enormous contributions to global warming. (Myhrvold and Caldeira, 2012). Increasing evidence, including a study led by researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, indicates that methane emissions from HVHF and related operations have been significantly underestimated by both the gas industry and the Environmental Protection Agency (Petron et al. 2012). HVHF, which blasts methane from New York’s bedrock, is an inherently leaky operation, and the proposed regulations that would oversee its practice here in New York do little to stop methane vapors from escaping into our atmosphere. Given the magnitude of these emissions and proof of their demonstrable harm to our atmosphere, dependence on natural gas, and thus on HVHF, dashes any chance of keeping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere at levels below what scientists say are necessary to avoid climate catastrophe.

And yet, inexplicably, your Department of Environmental Conservation has not closely examined the issue of greenhouse gas emissions in evaluating the environmental impact of opening up New York State to HVHF.

The November 2012 International Energy Agency report underscores the dire consequences we face from climate change and emphasizes the urgency of drastic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. As detailed above, natural gas is not a bridge to a clean energy future but leads instead to catastrophic climate change. Redesigning the New York energy and transportation system around renewable energy and energy efficiency is the only viable path forward. Unfortunately, natural gas development stands in the way. In May, The Guardian summarized a special report about natural gas by the International Energy Agency: “A ’golden age of gas‘ spurred by a tripling of shale gas from fracking and other sources of unconventional gas by 2035 will stop renewable energy in its tracks if governments do not take action.”
Beyond climate impacts, opening up New York to HVHF would contradict your stated priority of environmental protection. The massive industrialization required by HVHF brings with it unavoidable environmental consequences. Well pads, pits, access roads, and spider webs of pipelines mar landscapes, destroy farmland, and fragment forests essential to the health of our watersheds and foodsheds. HVHF threatens our underground sources of drinking water, and our streams, rivers, and lakes through numerous pathways of contamination both above and below the earth. These environmental impacts, combined with air pollution, noise, and increased traffic, would degrade the high-quality environment that New Yorkers have cherished for centuries. They would also result in significant economic losses for businesses and communities across New York State.

Governor Cuomo, your vow in the New York Daily News on November 15th inspired us: "We will not allow the national paralysis over climate change to stop us from pursuing the necessary path for the future." If you truly put these words into practice, we feel sure that you will be hailed as a national hero, securing a legacy and a political future as a leader who cut through political gridlock in order to act in the best interests of your constituents and generations to come. By contrast, opening up the state of New York to HVHF is a path leading away from that future.

Sincerely,


National Signatories
350.org, Bill McKibben, President and Co-Founder
Americans Against Fracking
Center for Biological Diversity, Kassie Siegel, Director Climate Law Institute
Center for Health, Environment & Justice, Lois Gibbs, Executive Director
CREDO Action, Michael Kieschnick, President
Damascus Citizens for Sustainability, B. Arrindell, Director
Dear Governor Cuomo, Jon Bowermaster, Director
Delaware Riverkeeper Network, Maya van Rossum, the Delaware Riverkeeper
Democracy for America, Kaili Lambe, Political Campaign Manager
EARTHWORKS, Jennifer Krill, Executive Director
Energy Action Coalition, Maura Cowley, Executive Director
Environment America, John Rumpler, Senior Attorney
Food & Water Watch, Wenonah Hauter, Executive Director
Friends of the Earth, Damon Moglen, Director, Climate and Energy Program
GASLAND, Josh Fox, Director
Greenpeace, Phil Radford, Executive Director
Sierra Club, Michael Brune, Executive Director
Yoko Ono, Co-Founder, Artists Against Fracking
Sean Lennon, Co-Founder, Artists Against Fracking
New York State Signatories
Catskill Mountainkeeper, Wes Gillingham, Program Director
Citizen Action of New York, Ivette Alfonso, President
Environment New York, Eric Whalen, Field Organizer
Frack Action, Julia Walsh, Campaign Director
Green Party of New York, Michael O'Neil and Gloria Mattera, Co-Chairs
Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Jeff Rumpf, Executive Director
New Yorkers Against Fracking, Sandra Steingraber, Founder
New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG), Rebecca J. Weber, Executive Director
New York Students Rising, Alyssia Osorio
United For Action, David Braun, President
Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter, Roger Downs, Conservation Director
Working Families Party, Daniel Cantor, Executive Director
Local New York State Signatories
Baldwin Oaks Civic Association, Jacqueline Bell, President
Beacon Climate Action, Amanda Means, Organizer
Capital District Against Fracking
City of Binghamton Against Fracking, Isaac Silberman-Gorn, Coordinator
Concerned Citizens of Covert, Janette Chauncey
Concerned Citizens of Rural Broome, Joan Koster, Communications
Concerned Citizens Town of Oneonta, Nicole Camarata, Member
Environment and Human Rights Advisory, Tom Kerns, Director
FaCT - Faith Communities Together (for Frac Awareness), Ron Prosek, Convener
First Presbyterian Church, The Rev. Elsie Armstrong Rhodes, pastor, Cooperstown
Frack Free Catskills, Sue Rosenberg
Gas Drilling Awareness for Cortland County, Sheila Cohen, Outreach Coordinator
Gas Free Seneca, Yvonne Taylor, Co-Founder
Green Umbrella - New York Youth for a Just and Sustainable Future
HUNTINGTON BREAST CANCER ACTION COALITION, INC, Karen Joy Miller, President
Long Island Progressive Coalition, Lisa Tyson, Director
Lower East Side Coalition to Stop Hydraulic Fracturing, Sharon Goldstein, Co-founder
Marbletown Defense Against Fracking
New Paltz Climate Action Coalition, Ann Guenther
New Paltz Defense Against Fracking, Rosalyn Cherry
New York Residents Against Drilling, Ben Perkus, Chair for NYRAD
New York Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
NY Contra el Gasoducto, David Galarza, co-founder
NYH2O, Joe Levine, Director
Olive Defense Against Fracking, Christina Himberger, President
Otsego 2000, Nicole Dillingham
Park Slope Food Coop, Ann Herpel, General Coordinator
Park Slope United Methodist Church Social Action Committee, S. Ridgeway Sandi Gonzalez, Co-Chairs.
Peace Action Bay Ridge, Dave Doll, Environmental Justice Coordinator
Plymouth Friends of Clean Water, Peter Hudiburg, Founder
R-CAUSE, Anna Sears and Nedra Harvey, Co-Founders
Residents Opposing Unsafe Shale-Gas Extraction, Bill Podulka, Chair ROUSE Steering Committee
Riverside-Salem United Church of Christ, Mary Herbst
Rochester Defense Against Fracking, Judith Karpova
Sane Energy Project
Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, Sr. Nora M. Nash, OSF, Director Corporate Social Responsibility
Sixth Street Community Center, Howard Brandstein, Executive Director
Sludge Stoppers Task Force, Scott Bochner, Co-Founder
Sullivan Area Citizens for Responsible Energy Development, Karen London, Co-founder
SUNY Cortland Center for Gender & Intercultural Studies EJ Committee, Sheila Cohen, Chair
Sustainable Tompkins, Gay Nicholson, President
Syracuse Peace Council, Amelia Ramsey-Lefevre, Staff Organizer
The Carbon Squeeze, Mel Wymore
The Kirkland Committee to Prohibit Hydrofracking, Arlene Somer, Co-Chair.
Trinity Lutheran Church, Rev. Dr. Sam Cruz, Senior Pastor
Vestal Residents for Safe Energy
Water Equality
Western New York Peace Center, Inc., Charley Bowman, Interim Executive Director
Western NY Drilling Defense, Rita Yelda, Founder

References:
Myhrvold, Nathan and Ken Caldeira. "Greenhouse gases, climate change and the transition from coal to low-carbon electricity." Environmental Research Letters, Vol. 7, Iss 1. February 2012
Pétron, G., et al. (2012), Hydrocarbon emissions characterization in the Colorado Front Range: A pilot study, J. Geophys. Res., 117, D04304, doi:10.1029/2011JD016360.
Shindell, Drew T., et. al. “Improved Attribution of Climate Forcing to Emissions.” Science Magazine. Volume 326, October 30, 2009, at 716 to 717