Energy companies can't be trusted
I'm responding to the guest commentary by Brad Gill, executive director of the Independent Oil and Gas Association of New York. First, I question his assertion that hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") is at the center of the natural gas debate. While that process is an important issue, residents like me are also concerned about the cumulative impacts of all-weather access roads, new pipelines, dramatically increased truck traffic and hazmat spills.
Mr. Gill states that fracking has been used in New York "without incident." Perhaps he has not heard the reports _ just this year _ from Independence, Allegany County (where a water well near a U.S. Energy drilling site was fouled by fracking), and from the U.S. Gypsum mine in Genesee County (where private drilling and fracking for natural gas contaminated the company's own water well), among others.
He also states that, besides water and sand, fracking fluid contains three additives. Our DEC's list of approved additives runs to about 50 chemicals.
He describes one additive as "similar to canola oil." The viscoelastic surfactant to which he refers is not something in which you'd want to fry your fish; no safety studies have been published for it.
His second additive is NOT "like chlorine." Known as DBNPA, this biocide is breathtakingly toxic. It's lethal to some organisms (including rainbow trout and bay oysters) at levels below its chemical detection limit.
Mr. Gill compares his third additive to products like, "shampoos and cutting oils." This is also misleading: the microemulsions used by energy companies have definitely not been approved by the FDA for use in cosmetics.
Seldom in more than 27 years as a professional biochemist have I seen such misinformation put forth. What should I make of Mr. Gill's main point that energy companies can be trusted to safeguard our precious natural resources?
Dr. Ronald E. Bishop
Cooperstown
Oneonta needs new type of thinking
As a mayoral candidate, I believe that a strong democracy is one where the government is transparent in its intentions and actions. In this campaign, I have met with hundreds of residents, numerous nonprofit organizations and many business owners. In these meetings, I listen to their concerns regarding the safety of their families, their jobs and for the future of their city. To address these concerns, I have begun working with numerous organizations that will strengthen our economy and our future.
In order to strengthen our community, we need to invest in our future by capitalizing on available resources within our reach. As mayor, I would take advantage of available government money to strengthen and develop our bio-science technology to support and sustain Oneonta's agrarian industry.
To strengthen our economy and to save money for the city, I am in the process of meeting with General Electric's green energy department; an opportunity that would bring in additional jobs, secure our health and safety, and save the city thousands of dollars by moving away from harmful fossil fuels.
To strengthen Oneonta's place between Albany and Binghamton, I am also in the process of meeting with commuter train systems such as Amtrak to establish an affordable, fast means of transportation. This would allow tourists the chance to experience our community and our businesses, while also providing additional transportation.
With all of these investments, we can begin to strengthen our community because all of these opportunities create jobs and provide a steady, continuous profit for the city and its people. If we continue to try to solve our problems with the same type of thinking, we will never meet our potential. It is time for politics to be treated as a mission, not as a business, and to address the people's concerns.
Jason Corrigan
Oneonta
UCCCA director will be missed
As an artist and as a volunteer for the Upper Catskill Community Council of the Arts, I have enjoyed one bird's eye view of the council's program.
The energy, vision and enthusiasm of UCCCA's director, Kathleen Frascatore, recently resigned, has been instrumental in making the council's missions successful. I will miss her.
Christine Alexander
East Meredith
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