Gas Drilling in New York State: Get The Facts

How informed are you about the intense debate over whether oil and gas companies should be allowed to drill in New York State using a controversial technique that will put our health, water and air at risk?

The gas and oil companies plan to use a method to extract gas known as hydraulic fracturing – or “fracking.” Fracking is when drillers blast millions of gallons of chemically-treated water into the earth to force the gas from tightly packed shale deposits. From Colorado to Pennsylvania, scientific data and documented cases have clearly shown that wherever fracking has occurred there is substantial risk of drinking water contamination, air pollution and severe illness among people and animals.

Hundreds of chemicals are used in fracking. Some 350 chemicals used to extract gas or found in gas wastes have been identified, among them known toxins like benzene. But the identity of hundreds of other chemicals used are kept secret by industry, as are their effects on human health.

Secret chemicals are only one of many issues you should know about. Visit the web pages of the organizations below to learn more and find out how you can take action.