I’ve written before about the controversial method of “hydrofraking” near New York City’s watershed, and the State Legislature has finally put the brakes on business proposals until it’s been thoroughly studied. Absent from the discussion, though, were Sheepshead Bay’s two state senators – Marty Golden and Carl Kruger. Here’s a report from the Bay Ridge Journal, with information drawn from Brooklyn Eagle.
The New York State Senate, in what has been called a historic move, has passed a bill, S8129B, temporarily halting natural gas drilling permits in the state’s watershed until May 15, 2011.
The moratorium is believed to be the first in the country.
The moratorium buys the state time to assess the risks involved in the controversial natural gas drilling technique called “hydrofracking” or “fracking”.
The state assembly is expected to approve its version of the bill, A11443, in September, officially enacting the moratorium.
State Senate Majority Leader John Sampson, a Democrat representing Brownsville, Canarsie and East New York, co-sponsored the bill, joined by Brooklyn Democratic Senators Eric Adams, Velmanette Montgomery, Kevin Parker, Diane Savino and Dan Squadron.
According to a poll taken by Senator Sampson, the majority of New Yorkers favor a ban on hydrofracking.
Democrat Carl Kruger abstained from the vote. Republican Marty Golden was MIA.
Brooklyn Assembly Members Jim Brennan, Alan Maisel and Janele Hyer-Spencer support the Assembly version of the bill.
Courtesy of kirkclimber via Flickr
There’s no shortage of anger against the MTA’s proposed bus cuts, and now one local bread-biz is slamming the agency’s half-baked idea.
Bread Plus is outraged about the MTA’s failure to provide adequate time to comment on the proposed cut to the B64 line, which runs in front of their business. So to let residents cut through their frustration, they’re baking a giant MTA bread loaf and inviting neighbors to slice away. The protest is not only against the cut, which they say will hurt their business, but also in support of a proposed bill by Assemblyman William Colton (Bensonhurst, Gravesend, Bath Beach, Dyker Heights and Midwood).
Colton’s eminently sensible bill requires the MTA to notify local community boards of changes that will affect their residents. The idea – so obvious that it’s hard to believe they weren’t already required to do so – will hopefully put useful information in the hands of community leaders, who will be more effective at disseminating to constituents.
“Unfortunately, the MTA was not mandated to do so before, and you see the horrendous results that happened,” Colton said. “The MTA must be receptive and responsible to the riders. Let them stop taking their many chauffeured limousines and see how they like walking the extra blocks they force their riders to do.”
The protest takes place today at 11 a.m. at the bus stop in front of the Bread Plus bakery at 2851 Harway Avenue (off of Bay 50th Street). The MTA is cutting B64 bus service along Harway Avenue south of 25th Avenue to Stillwell Avenue terminal. The cut will affect residents of several senior homes, as well as students and employees of John Dewey High School.
It’s been a while since we updated you about the gas drilling in an area watershed, which is opposed by Assemblyman William Colton. Locally, drillers sit in limbo. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation wrapped up its public comment period and is reviewing the testimony to decide whether to allow hydraulic fracturing – the controversial process to extract gas.
But nationally, the technique is being scrutinized for its potentially devastating environmental effects, especially to local water supplies. The Environmental Protection Agency is responding to concerns from the scientific community, and is allocating $1.9 million for the study.
From an EPA press release:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it will conduct a comprehensive research study to investigate the potential adverse impact that hydraulic fracturing may have on water quality and public health. Natural gas plays a key role in our nation’s clean energy future and the process known as hydraulic fracturing is one way of accessing that vital resource. There are concerns that hydraulic fracturing may impact ground water and surface water quality in ways that threaten human health and the environment. To address these concerns and strengthen our clean energy future and in response to language inserted into the fiscal year 2010 Appropriations Act, EPA is re-allocating $1.9 million for this comprehensive, peer-reviewed study for FY10 and requesting funding for FY11 in the president’s budget proposal.
So while the state decides on whether or not to permit hydraulic fracturing within spitting distance of our water supply, the federal government is finally considering the dangers it poses. Let’s hope they both come to the conclusion that messing with the drinking water of millions of people is just too risky.
A Marcellus shale well in Northwest PA - Photo courtesy of LJSTEINCO via Flickr
A controversial plan to allow drilling for natural gas near a major watershed may put city dwellers at risk, says Assemblyman William Colton.
At the Gravesend/Bensonhurst pol’s request, the Department of Environmental Conservation extended the public comment period from November 30 to December 31, but they have not ruled out drilling in the area. Continue Reading »
(Photo by Daniel Cavanagh)
Last night’s hearing on the Brooklyn Dreams Charter School went much as expected: an unremarkable turnout of local and citywide charter opponents, with a smattering – an itsy, bitsy smattering – of advocates. To say the least, the opposition – though equally impassioned in their rhetoric – paled in comparison to the attendance at the Hebrew Language Academy hearing at Marine Park J.H.S.
The most compelling news of the night came from BDCS officials, who continued to reassure attendees that the school had no intention of seeking space carved from existing public schools. In fact, they informed, they’ve found a location at 269 Parkville Avenue (see map), near Ocean Parkway just north of Avenue H. One of the schools representatives added, “We are not looking to move into a public school. I don’t even believe in that. I think that’s wrong.”
In the stifling heat of the Shell Bank J.H.S. auditorium, the news did little to soothe opponents, who early on were reminded by SUNY Charter School Institute officials that the “final decision [on BDCS] rests with SUNY” and is not a direct result of the sentiments shared at the hearing.
And sentiments they did share. Opposition at the meeting was concentrated mainly on three points:
- District 22 is an exemplary district and so a charter school is superfluous
- Charters shave off good students and needed funds, thus threatening the district’s success
- BDCS, like other charters, is not a unionized school
Continue Reading »
Looking for information to help you deal with the housing crisis? Assemblyman William Colton is inviting all Brooklyn residents to a Spring Homeowner Workshop and Foreclosure Prevention Conference this Thursday, May 14th. Colton represents the 47th District in the State Assembly, which includes parts of Sheepshead Bay.
The workshop will inform residents and offer support to homeowners in the community. Speakers are going to talk about government-funded resources to help families affected by the housing crisis. They will dispense advice on issues including housing scams, banking and legal issues, short sales and loan modification programs.
The event kicks off at 7:30 p.m. The United Progressive Democratic Club is located at 29 Bay 25th Street in Bath Beach.
For more information, please contact event coordinator Maria Mirra at (718) 667-9090, ext. 114.
[via Brooklyn Daily Eagle]
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