Tuesday, November 1st, 2011

Hydrofracking (short for hydraulic fracturing) is a pretty big buzz word these days.

I don’t profess to know much about it beyond what I learned from a quick Google search, but it’s relevant to the Upper West Side because there’s a “Speak Out On Hydrofracking” forum in the neighborhood on Wednesday evening.

State Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal is inviting members of the community to voice their opinions on hydrofracking — you can view a PDF with details here.

The event takes place tomorrow night (Wednesday, 11/2)  from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun (257 W. 88th, between Broadway & West End). Per the PDF:

The State proposes to drill for natural gas using hundreds of unidentified chemicals in nearly 85% of the Marcellus Shale. The plan is controversial and potentially destructive to our environment and human health.

The forum will be filmed and we will send your comments to the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)!

The forum will feature a panel of three experts, as well as an appearance by actor/activist Mark Ruffalo. Panelists include:

• Albert F. Appleton: Adjunct Associate Professor at the Cooper Union, former Commissioner of  NYC Dept. of Environmental Protection
• Eric Goldstein: Director, Senior Attorney New York City Environment Natural Resources Defense Council
• Deborah Goldberg: Managing Attorney, Northeast Regional Office Earthjustice

For more information or to RSVP, you can e-mail LRosenthalRSVP@gmail.com or call 212-873-6368.

NYT’s Green blog recently had a brief post about the hydrofracking issue. In that post, there’s a link to a longer article in the Sunday Times that provides some additional information.

If you prefer to get  your news by video, NY1 had a brief but informative report over the summer.

Filed under: Events, Free, Manhattan, Nature, New York City, News, NYC, Politics, Seniors, Things to do, Upper West Side, Upper West Side Blog, UWS 1 Comment »
Tags: 257 W 88, 257 West 88, Albert F. Appleton, Congregation B’nai Jeshurun, Deborah Goldberg, drilling, Environment, Eric Goldstein, Governor Cuomo, Hydrofracking, Hydrofracking Forum, Linda Rosenthal, Mark Ruffalo, natural gas, New York City, NYC, State Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal, Upper West Side, UWS