Genesee Sun

Dansville Hydrofracking Hearing Draws Protesters and Supporters from the Upstate Area

DANSVILLE –— The grass in front of the Dansville Middle School is a strange site. People in yellow hazmat suits carry signs of protest. One of them carries a papier-mâché lizard on a stick. In its hands, the reptile clutches another sign spouting words of discontent. A giant puppet sporting two garish faces lumbers around the lawn at the direction of its three puppet masters. Under its two heads is a banner with “before” and “after” painted on it. The “before” head is peaceful looking; the “after,” woeful and deathlike.

These theatrical displays are part of a protest on hydraulic fracturing, or hydrofracking, in the Finger Lakes and Genesee Valley taking place today alongside the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s public hearing on their revised Draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (SGEIS). The Draft SGEIS addresses the permit conditions required for gas drilling in Marcellus Shale and other areas of New York. People from various upstate New York and Pennsylvania areas came to the hearing and rally to voice their opinions on the subject.

“I’ve seen it [hydrofracking] in other states," said Rochester resident Phil Stukas, one of the people dressed in a hazmat suit. “People have been adversely affected by chemicals in their well water and even air pollution.”

Stukas said the suits represent the toxic waste he believes hydrofracking will create. The suits were brought to the event by Bath’s Dave Walczak for anyone to wear. 

“The suits are symbolic of the danger of all the chemicals that are used in fracking,” said Walczak, who is on the leadership board of the Coalition to Protect New York. “This is a visual metaphor that we’re using. We’re here for justice.”

Jack Ossont, who spoke at the rally, feels hydrofracking should be considered a criminal act.

“I feel that the executive agency, which is the DEC, is not the agency with which we should be addressing this problem of fracking,” he said. “We feel it should be moved out of an executive agency and put in the hands of the courts. This is actually a criminal enterprise and it poisons us, it poisons the earth, it poisons the air and it poisons our water. Every other state in which it’s operated has experienced those kinds of problems, so why would we expect it to be any different when it comes into New York State?”

Though many at the hearing and rally echoed the views of Stukas, Walczak and Ossont, still others believe hydrofracking will benefit the state.

“As long as the DEC does the proper regulations, I feel this could be a real plus for our community,” said Steuben County legislator Robert Nichols. “We need drilling; it’s a good way to bring jobs, it’s a good energy source, a clean energy source. In my opinion, it’d be a real plus for our state and our community.”

Others at the hearing agreed that hydrofracking could help create much-needed jobs in the area.

“Our state needs the drilling to happen and to happen now,” said Karen Ballard. “It will create jobs and bring much needed revenue to us and it will decrease dependence on foreign oil. For those who represent the gas companies, I’d like to say ‘Welcome to New York. We look forward to working with you to help our state and our country get back on its feet.”

The public hearing took place at the Dansville Middle School auditorium today from 1 to 4 p.m. Around 140 people were signed up to speak at the hearing. The DEC will also hold another public hearing in the same place from 6 to 9 tonight. The public is encouraged to voice their comments supporting or opposing hydrofracking in the area. 

For those who could not make the hearings, written comments may be sent to the DEC before Dec. 12. For more information, visit http://www.dec.ny.gov.