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Cuomo Administration Edited and Delayed Scientific Report on Natural Gas Fracking

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo pledged to focus on science, not politics, in deciding whether to allow natural gas drilling in the state.
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New York Governor Andrew Cuomo pledged in September to avoid politics and not make an "emotional decision" on whether to allow hydraulic, horizontal fracking of natural gas deposits.

But, according to government records obtained and analyzed by Capital, an Albany, New York-based publication, the Cuomo administration officials delayed and edited a draft study by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on the possible impacts of natural gas fracking on the state's drinking water supplies.

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As the Capital story explains, the Cuomo administration's New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and Department of Environmental Conservation "played down or removed" some sections of the study involving "descriptions of environmental and health risks associated with fracking."

For example, the USGS draft read: "drilling, extraction, transport via pipelines, and underground storage" might lead to methane leaks into drinking water supplies. But the final version of the report says: "This risk can be reduced if the casing and cementing of wells is properly designed and constructed."

New York's silent but deadly fracking problem. Read more here.

Emails obtained by Capital suggest the Cuomo administration sought to slow down publication. In an email to the USGS, a state official offered an "alternative text." In response, a USGS spokesperson says her agency is a "science organization" and the report should be released "in a timely fashion."

Chris Amato, staff attorney for Earthjustice, says Capital's investigation reveals that the Cuomo administration — despite the Governor's pledge to do otherwise — continues to see fracking primarily through a political lens.

"The Cuomo Administration has politicized the Department of Environmental Conservation and that's evident in a number of pending issues that are before the department," Amato said. "[It] is deeply involved in the department's deliberations on these issues and is definitely controlling the game."

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The end of fracking is closer than you think. Read more here.

Gov. Cuomo won the Democratic Party primary in September against opponent Zephyr Teachout. Fracking was a key wedge issue, with Cuomo saying he would maintain the moratorium, while continuing to study the health and environmental impact of natural gas fracking, and Teachout pledging to ban fracking in the state.

Environmentalists aren't the only ones unhappy with the Governor's approach to the issue. Natural gas industry representatives remain displeased as well.

"I absolutely believe science is being politicized by this administration," Brad Gill, executive director of the Independent Oil and Gas Association of New York told VICE News. "The governor should look to other states where this activity is occurring and gain first-hand knowledge into the benefits and risks associated with natural gas development. Every week, month, and year that goes by with no positive decision on natural gas development, he is hurting the people of New York, especially in those areas that would benefit the greatest from energy exploration and production."

Over 170 New York communities have passed local bans on natural gas fracking. The New York Supreme Court upheld these bans in June.

"Now that the home rule cases have been decided, maybe Cuomo will green light this knowing that a town can ban or zone it out," Gill told VICE News.

Follow Steve Horn on Twitter: @SteveAHorn

Image via Flickr