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Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton (D/WF-125) yesterday sent a letter to Governor Cuomo, thanking him for his decision to conduct a review of the public health impacts of fracking. Lifton, who was among the first in the Assembly to call for a comprehensive health study, sent the letter to the Governor on Monday.

“I was very surprised when [Commissioner Martens] told me in an Assembly hearing that there was no health study in the prior draft, as increased setbacks would preclude the need for such a study.  I, like many New Yorkers, was shocked that such an important and prominent concern has been completely overlooked,” said Lifton in the letter.

While Lifton was pleased with this decision, she stated that the process must be “as open and transparent as possible,” calling for  “doctors, medical experts and scientists who have voiced concerns to be aware of how this study is being done and, indeed, fully-engaged in the process."

“In regard to the issue of independence of such a study, I agree with Commissioner Martens that the government should be the objective reviewer. But many New Yorkers feel that the DEC has tarnished its public trust through the many serious flaws in the process and document,” said Lifton of the current SGEIS draft. “The HIA process must be taken as an opportunity to restore the public’s trust on this critical issue of hydro-fracking.”

Lifton stated her continued concern about other issues as well, including waste water treatment and removal and the use of Liquid Propane Gas as a fracking fluid. She said she remains committed to ensuring New Yorkers are protected from the harmful effects of this industry, and called in the letter for the current sGEIS to be withdrawn to ensure the proper study of those concerns, as well.

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