New York Bans Fracking, World Music, “Justified Anger”

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• ProPublica Reporter: New York's Fracking Ban Is A Big Deal

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  A ProPublica reporter who has been covering hydraulic fracturing for more than six years said on Thursday that New York state’s decision to ban the practice will likely have an impact at the federal level.

  The state announced the ban on the method of natural gas extraction — commonly known as “fracking” — on Wednesday. It is now the largest and most natural gas-rich region in the U.S. to have made such a prohibition. The decision came after the government instituted an effective six-and-a-half-year moratorium and conducted an extensive statewide public health review on the practice, which involves blasting chemical-laced water through underground rock formations.

  ProPublica environmental reporter Abrahm Lustgarten, who has won a prestigious George Polk award for his reporting on fracking, said New York’s decision is significant.

  “It gives an official authoritative voice to the environmental community, and I think it will give pause to both federal and state regulators who are considering something different (than fracking) and also a bit of a tailwind to opponents of drilling in other places across the country,” said Lustgarten.

  Lustgarten said that the decision surprised many environmentalists who felt it was only a matter of time until drilling resumed.

  In 2012, Vermont became the first U.S. state to ban fracking. Lustgarten described that move as largely symbolic, since the state contains little, if any, natural gas. New York, on the other hand, is on the Marcellus Shale, an underground layer of sedimentary rock that contains many natural gas reserves. The shale extends from Ohio and West Virginia northeast into Pennsylvania and southern New York.

  New York’s portion of the shale is approximately 18,750 square miles and is over one mile below ground, according to the New York City Department of Environmental Protection.

  “To have an entire state basically block off access to the northern-most tip of that resource, it’s symbolically a big deal and pragmatically it will affect the amount of energy that’s produced,” Lustgarten said.

  During the past decade, fracking technology has created an extraction boom around the country in places like North Dakota and Pennsylvania. The industry has brought new economic prosperity to long-depressed rural economies, and also a slew of public health concerns stemming from water and air pollution. Lustgarten, through his reporting, has found a pattern of complaints, mostly in relation to chemical contamination of water supplies and declining air quality.

  Residents near drilling operations have reported cases of headaches, premature births, skin lesions and nervous system disorders. However, scientific research into the public health risks posed by fracking is still in its beginning stages, and more time is needed to determine any definitive answers.

• The host of WPR’s weekend music show “Higher Ground” joins us with a world music sampler.

• One Year After Madison Pastor Starts Conversation About Race, What Has Happened?

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  One year ago, Reverend Alex Gee of Madison’s Fountain of Life Church, penned an essay saying that he was fed up with the racial disparities in a city known for progressive politics. The essay sparked a community-wide conversation.

  A year later, with many of the same issues Rev. Gee addressed now getting national attention, we hear what has changed and what he feels needs to be done.

• New York State Becomes Largest And Most Natural Gas Rich Region To Ban Fracking

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  Yesterday, New York state became the largest and most natural gas rich region in the United States to ban all hydraulic fracturing. The decision came after an effective six and a half year moratorium and an extensive statewide public health review.

  During the past decade, fracking technology has created an extraction boom in states around the country in places like North Dakota and Pennsylvania. The industry has brought new economic prosperity to long-depressed rural economies and also a slew of public health concerns stemming from water and air pollution.