Gov. Andrew Cuomo says the state’s health study of hydrofracking doesn’t need a “do-over” as a member of his administration’s review panel charged yesterday.
Cuomo appeared unfamiliar with Binghamton Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo’s call for a new health review when asked about it in Utica on Thursday.
Lupardo, a Democrat, is a member of the Cuomo Administration's hydrofracking review panel, which hasn’t met in over a year. The state’s health review of the controversial natural gas extraction method has dragged on even longer than that. It's being done by the state health department on behalf of the Department of Environmental Conservation.
Lupardo said the way the review has been done has compromised the public’s trust.
Cuomo told reporters his administration is trying to make the decision about fracking on the facts, not the feelings.
"We understand the gravity of the issue," he said. "We understand the emotion of the issue on both sides. We’re trying to bring down the emotion and bring up the information."
Fracking has been put on hold for five years as the state considers whether to allow the gas drilling process.
Cuomo said that in general, he thinks his administration is "doing a good job" on the health review.
