Earthjustice Hails Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Historic Energy Leadership

Victory

Health risks too grave, New York State will ban fracking

Contacts

Deborah Goldberg, Earthjustice, (212) 845-7377

, Kathleen Sutcliffe, Earthjustice, (212) 845-7380

Instead of caving to pressure from the oil and gas industry, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Department of Environmental Conservation has concluded that the health risks of fracking are too great, and it will not permit the controversial practice to move forward in the state. Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a controversial technique in which gas drillers blast millions of gallons of water mixed with toxic chemicals into the ground to extract gas from hard-to-reach deposits deep in the earth.

The following is a statement from Earthjustice Managing Attorney Deborah Goldberg who represented the Town of Dryden, NY in its precedent-setting fracking ban case.

“This is truly a monumental day. Governor Andrew Cuomo has earned a place in history. Never before has a state with proven gas reserves banned fracking. I believe that future generations will point to this day and say ‘This is when the tide began to turn against the dirty, dangerous and destructive fossil fuel industry.’ This is a hard-fought victory that belongs to the brave people of New York who refused to give up, refused to give in. Now all New Yorkers can enjoy the safety and peace of mind that the 80 New York communities that have banned fracking already have. We hope that this determined leadership Governor Cuomo has displayed will give courage to elected leaders throughout the country and world: fracking is too dangerous and must not continue.”

An anti-fracking demonstration outside of New York Governor Cuomo's office in Manhattan, NY, in October of 2012.
An anti-fracking demonstration outside of New York Governor Cuomo's office in Manhattan, NY, in October of 2012. (Adam Welz / CREDO Action)

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Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people's health, to preserve magnificent places and wildlife, to advance clean energy, and to combat climate change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.