Area residents react to State’s stance on ‘no’ fracking

Area residents react to State’s stance on ‘no’ fracking

Pictured is a gas drilling well-site in Columbia Crossroads, Pa. This photo was contributed by C.R. Wagner, Times Shamrock Correspondent in Troy, Pa.

On Dec. 17, Governor Andrew Cuomo made the controversial announcement that he plans to ban hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, in New York. In a county that overwhelmingly voted in favor of Rob Astorino – the pro-fracking candidate – in November’s gubernatorial elections, it is not surprising that there are some who are deeply disappointed by Cuomo’s recent announcement. However, reactions run the whole gamut, and there are those who celebrate the decision, those who detest it, and everything in between.

One of the opponents of the decision is Owego Supervisor Don Castellucci.

Castellucci stated, “I’m a little disappointed in the decision. I had expected that at least the Southern Tier would be opened [for fracking] on some kind of trial basis.”

He added, “Hydrofracking is not the silver bullet. It would have created jobs … but we needed to have a bigger plan than this type of fracking.”

Local activist Gerri Wiley, on the other hand, was thrilled about the decision. She stated, “I started weeping in disbelief and joy!”

She continued, “This decision benefits Tioga County in many ways. Residents who signed gas leases before they became aware of the many harms of shale gas industrialization can breathe easier and drink their water with more assurance. So can their un-leased neighbors, as air and water do not follow property lines. Tioga County can now move forward in fostering stable economic development that promotes safe, local jobs. We can create plans that do not conflict with our goals of healthy, thriving communities in which to raise our children and grandchildren.”

Newark Valley residents Tammy Decker and Thomas Judson, Jr., were also happy about the announcement. Decker stated, “We don’t want it allowed – we’re opposed due to the bad water supply and our way of life.”

Other reactions were a little more mixed. Amanda and Melvin Foster of Candor expressed a more tempered support for the decision.

Amanda said, “I would love the ability to produce clean natural gas locally. I think that would be awesome, but I don’t think this is it.”

Melvin said, “I think good water and arable land are two of the most valuable resources of upstate New York, so I would rather be safe than destroy them. However, I can totally appreciate the disappointment and anger of the landowners and companies leasing mineral rights who feel they are being deprived of their rights. The timing could not have been worse for the Southern Tier either, with New York State sending down the casino decision and the fracking decision the same week. It reinforces the long-held belief in this reason that the state government treats rural New York as its colonies to plunder and punish.”

Long-time Tioga County resident David Haus said, “There are a lot of landowners who have been counting on that money from the fracking; it also shouldn’t be controlled by our governor. It used to be ‘we the people’ had the choice.”

He added, “There are pro’s and con’s to anything people choose to do.”