As president of College Democrats of New York, I speak with students from nearly every corner of the state.
One issue that is of particular importance to students is hydrofracking for natural gas. The discussion has become so divisive that I feel obligated, on beds of students I have spoken to and represent, to write about it.
I do not envy the fact that Gov. Andrew Cuomo will have to make a tough decision that will affect not only his political career but also every New Yorker. The Empire State has always prided itself in meeting such challenges. I ask the governor to look at our history and the innovative work of thousands of New Yorkers as he makes a decision on this issue. As a state and as a society, I know we are better than a dirty old form of energy. I know that we don't need to risk our future for a dollar today and a form of energy from yesterday.
If we truly are the Empire State, then the governor doesn't need to spend his time deciding if we should or should not allow fracking. He needs to think about how we can change the way we use energy.
He needs to live in the famous words of another great New Yorker, Robert F. Kennedy: "Some people see things as they are and say, 'why?' I dream things that never were and say, 'why not?'"
So, Governor, I have to ask, why not?
Daniel J. Torres is a student at Marist College and is president of College Democrats of New York. He was a delegate to the 2012 Democratic National Convention.