Riverkeeper Urges Comprehensive, Objective & Inclusive Study, in Response to State Commitment to Delay Fracking Decision until Announced DOH Health Review is Complete

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tina Posterli, 516-526-9371, [email protected]

White Plains, NY — September 21, 2012 — Riverkeeper is encouraged that the state will not make a decision on fracking until NYS Health Commissioner Nirav Shah completes his newly-announced review of the health analysis in DEC’s environmental impact statement on fracking.

We are confident that Commissioner Shah’s review, if done comprehensively, objectively and with the help of truly qualified outside experts, will reveal significant omissions in DEC’s analysis and show why fracking cannot be allowed to move forward in New York.

Riverkeeper urges the state to fearlessly pursue the best science, not just the best way to prepare for litigation, and to include the public, and in particular communities at risk, in its review and decision-making process when it comes to fracking and health. Most importantly, we call on the state to honor the commitment Commissioner Martens made in his statement yesterday that the state will not proceed with fracking in New York if there is a public health concern that cannot be addressed.