Roads maintained by Ulster County will not be treated with brine used from fracking wastewater. County Executive Michael Hein signed legislation Thursday at the county highway garage in New Paltz banning the brine from being used on county roads.
The byproduct of fracking will not be used on our roadways,” said Hein. “The truth is that the environmental costs are off the charts. Their bargain is bad and the price is too high.”
County Legislator Kenneth Wishnick, a New Paltz Democrat, introduced the legislation.
“My fear is that if we didn't enact this, and budgets would get tighter and the temptation might be too hard to resist,” he said.
Wishnick, like many in the region, fears the long-term environment impacts that could be cause by fracking.
“The effects from fracking are irreversible and will forever degrade the environment,” he said.