AFTON – Local grassroots organizations from across New York State met with all the major national and regional environmental groups in Binghamton on Saturday, April 4. Their common concern is that unlike traditional gas drilling in porous rocks, the natural gas now sought is trapped too tightly within various types of stone layers to be extracted safely.

According to a press release from the Chenango Delaware Otsego Gas Group (CDOG), differences emerged among the 25 groups represented over how to respond to the government/industry partnership that they fear will result in permanent environmental damage and social dislocation. Representatives of some organizations favor a strategy to: (1) Pass into law a bill that would ban drilling in the area that provides water to New York City, and (2) Seek whatever regulations for the rest of New York State that government/industry will allow. They argue that if the watershed of New York City can be protected first, it would be easier to protect the watersheds of other less powerful areas of the state later.

“New York City, with its inordinate amount of political power within New York State, has a moral responsibility to use that power to protect the water of everyone in this state,” said CDOG spokesperson Dave Baker.