Frustration has mounted in New York as the state struggles to finalize its natural gas regulations. What may have originally been an attempt at a pragmatic review has quickly devolved into political theater, with new information on the actions — or, all too often, inactions — of state officials, who seem content to let the issue drag on indefinitely.
The latest example is a secret review from Gov. Andrew Cuomo's health secretary, which found that "significant adverse impacts on human health are not expected from routine (fracturing) operations."
The February 2012 report, which was never publicly released and only recently uncovered by the media, noted that "the state's proposed regulations would prevent any potential health risks from air emissions, water contamination, and radioactive materials unearthed during the drilling process."
The report added that "human chemical exposure during normal (fracturing) operations will be prevented or reduced below levels of significant health concern."
Wait. Weren't we told that the health risks from hydraulic fracturing were "unknown," thus necessitating yet another missed deadline for finalizing the state's regulations so the state could complete a health review?
Why did it take 11 months for this existing review to surface, and why did the state see fit to keep it hidden from the public view?
The answer to that last question could have something to do with the findings in the review itself, which refute nearly every significant criticism levied by opponents working day and night to stop natural gas development in New York.
If the state has already determined those charges to be false, then how could it also credibly call for yet another analysis based on the content of those same accusations?
Another finding of note: "With the aforementioned mitigation measures in place, human exposure due to HVHF-related contamination of water resources would be prevented or reduced below levels posing a health concern, and thus significant adverse impacts on human health are unlikely."
Taken together, all of this makes you wonder: If the governor had clear answers refuting some of the most serious claims made by opponents, then why would he encourage his agencies to sit on that information?
And why would he appear on Fred Dicker's radio show last November to make inflammatory statements like "people are afraid of being poisoned" if he had information that could alleviate those public fears?
What's more, with 80,000 New Yorkers seeking answers to questions about potential health impacts from hydraulic fracturing, why would he purposely keep those answers hidden from the very people he was elected to represent?
This has to be frustrating for landowners in upstate New York who want nothing more than to be able to enjoy a respectable living in a state that contains the nation's 10th-highest unemployment rate and one of the nation's highest property tax burdens.
While the governor plays a game of political chess with the one option that could actually provide them relief, men and women throughout the state struggle to pay the bills, find jobs and, in some cases, hold onto their family farms.
John Krohn is communications director of Energy In Depth.
