If you think fracking will not affect you, think again.
The Millennium, Iroquois and Tennessee pipelines will intersect with a proposed NYMarc connector in Orange County in and around the Town of Minisink. This map is a clear visual illustration of the pipeline. There is already an application for one compressor station and more are being considered.
Compressor stations are used to keep gas in a highly pressured state so that it can travel through gas pipelines. We now know that these compressor stations have negative impacts on the environment and people’s health, which can be as severe as those that are found at gas drilling well pads. They emit carcinogenic and neurotoxin compounds, volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides that create ozone (smog) and many more toxins. People who live in areas with compressor stations have reported serious health symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, blackouts, muscle contractions and ruptured ear drums from the constant low frequency roar of the compressors. In parts of rural Texas where gas pipeline compressor stations are located, asthma rates for children have risen from a normal 7% to a very abnormal 25%.
Communities in close proximity to gas production facilities will feel the air contaminants the most. HOWEVER, BECAUSE AIR CONTAMINANTS TRAVEL VIA AIR CURRENTS THEY WILL ALSO AFFECT SURROUNDING AREAS - WHICH IN THIS CASE WOULD INCLUDE DUTCHESS, PUTNAM, ROCKLAND AND WESTCHESTER COUNTIES AND NEW YORK CITY.
Orange County, NY is the home of many 9-11 responders who are living with health issues as a result of their heroic service to all of us. In a letter protesting the compressor stations near his hometown, a NYC First Responder said, “There are approximately 10 NYC First Responders (that I am aware of) that live approximately within a half mile radius of the proposed Millennium gas compressor site.” He further said, “We know all-too-well the result these known carcinogens will have on our health. We do not want to have to move again.”
While it is a travesty to think of these 9-11 responders having their health further compromised by the proposed compressor stations, it is just as unconscionable to subject the entire population of Orange County to these same negative health impacts. These new emissions will be on top of existing problems Orange County currently faces with pollution from vehicle and industry emissions. According to EPA records from 1998 to 2008, the latest published, the air quality was considered less than good on over 21.5% of the days of the year and on 75% of those days ozone was the main pollutant.
These planned compressor stations are just the tip of the iceberg. In PA, there is now an average of almost one compressor station application per week. As things stand we can expect the same.
Calvin Tillman, the former mayor of Dish TX, where residents were sickened after 11 compressor stations were built said, “If you don't learn from what has happened here, by the time that the odor gets bad enough for you to not want it there, by the time that the noise gets loud enough that it's disturbing you, it's already too late.”
It is becoming late in the game in New York State. If we don’t take action now to stop fracking in New York, all of us from the Catskills and the Southern Tier down to the Hudson Valley and into New York City will pay a personal price.
In order to let Governor Cuomo know that we don’t want fracking to ruin our health and our environment, today we are starting a call campaign called “DON’T FRACK FRIDAYS”. Please call the Governor’s office EVERY Friday to let him know that you don’t want fracking in New York State at (518) 474-8390.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) controls the regulation of interstate pipelines. Please click here to tell them not to build a compressor station in Minisink or anywhere else in Orange County because of the potential for serious long-term negative health ramifications to all New Yorkers, especially our children. The deadline to comment is November 14, 2011.
Next month hearings will be conducted regarding the conditions and rules under which gas drilling would be allowed in New York State. We can’t stress enough the importance of having huge turnouts at these hearings. Please reserve these dates on your calendar and plan to attend. You’ll hear more from us as we get closer.
November 16 – Public Hearing on the dSGEIS - Dansville, NY
November 17 – Public Hearing on the dSGEIS - Binghamton, NY
November 21 – DRBC Hearing - Trenton, NJ
November 29 - Public Hearing on the dSGEIS – Loch Sheldrake, NY
November 30 – Public Hearing on the dSGEIS – New York City
Click here for the dates and times of the dSGEIS hearings, and here for more information on the DRBC hearing. Use the Catskill Mountainkeeper website as a resource.
Forward this message to your friends, family and neighbors and ask them to forward it on. Get educated, especially about the health issues and threats.
Your support is needed now more than ever. Please give as generously as you can.
or mail a check to: Catskill Mountainkeeper, PO Box 381, Youngsville, NY 12791
www.catskillmountainkeeper.org
845.482.5400
About Catskill Mountainkeeper
Catskill Mountainkeeper is an independent, not for profit, 501c3 community based environmental advocacy organization, dedicated to creating a flourishing sustainable economy in the Catskills and preserving and protecting the area's long term health. We address issues of water integrity for the Delaware and Susquehanna River Systems, the defense of the vast woodlands that encompass the Catskill Forest Preserve and the New York City Watershed as well as farmland protection. We promote "smart" development that balances the economic needs and concerns of the Catskill regions' citizens and the protection of our abundant but exceedingly vulnerable natural resources.
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