Tag Archives: hazardous waste

17 Dec

It is time to strengthen our NYS Fracking Ban

5 years ago today, Governor Cuomo announced a statewide fracking ban citing significant public health risks, yet we’ve continued to accept and improperly dispose of toxic fracking waste from other states. Not healthy. We’ve also expanded our gas infrastructure and missed critical opportunities to accelerate renewables in NYS.

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In 2020, we can…

  1. Close the “fracking waste loophole”!
    That means passing the Uniform Treatment of Waste bill,
    which passed the Senate this year and is near the finish line the Assembly. Thank you Assemblyman Steve Englebright and NYS Senator Rachel May.
    https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2019/a2655
  2. Make the fracking ban a New York State law!
    It’s currently just a regulation, which can more easily change under a new governor. Senator Jen Metzger has now introduced a new bill that codifies the fracking ban into State law and expands it to include gelled propane fracking.
    https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2019/S6906
  3. Pass additional laws to shift our energy system away from fossil fuel and give New Yorkers better access to the affordable renewables they seek.
    This is good planning. This is good business. A strong economy depends on a healthy environment and healthy people. If you want to be part of this exciting movement in 2020, let us know. We will be in touch in the coming year.
 
04 Jun

WIN: With Bipartisan Support, Senate Passes Uniform Treatment of Waste Bill

Great news for all New Yorkers! The fracking waste loophole is finally beginning to close. The “Uniform Treatment of Waste” bill just passed the NYS Senate (with bipartisan support) for the first time since its introduction back in 2011! NYSBC has been supporting this for years.
https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2019/s3392

If it passes the Assembly and is signed into law by our Governor, then any fracking waste entering NYS from PA or elsewhere would have to be labeled “Hazardous” …finally!

Currently, due to a federal exemption, the fossil fuel industry does not have to disclose what’s in their proprietary fracking formulae, and they have been disposing of their waste in NYS’s municipal landfills and water treatment plants, which are clearly not equipped to treat the unknown hazards. We’ve been slowly poisoning our environment and ourselves with fracking waste from other states. This is unconscionable.

The uniform treat of waste bill received support from Republicans as well as Democrats, as well it should. Let’s not forget that disclosure is key to capitalism. You can’t vote with your dollar without knowing what you’re voting for, so we need transparency from businesses just as we need it from our government.

This is not a final solution, but it is a huge step in the right direction. We are not banning fracking waste. We are not requiring disclosure of their formulae. If signed into law, this bill would simply require that the waste be labeled “hazardous” and therefore transported as hazardous waste and disposed of as hazardous waste. We will update you here when this bill needs your support. Let’s see this through!

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