By Dave Lucas
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-912072.mp3
Oneonta, NY – A Central New York Congressman is claiming a victory in the battle to protect New York's waters from natural gas and oil drilling contamination. WAMC's Dave Lucas reports.
Today, U.S. Rep. Michael Arcuri (NY-24) was joined by local officials and environmental organization representatives for a press conference at Oneonta City Hall to discuss an amendment he successfully offered during the House Committee Transportation and Infrastructure's consideration of the Oil Spill Accountability and Environmental Protection Act of 2010 (H.R. 5629) that would strip the sweetheart deal' given to big oil and gas industries in the 2005 Energy Bill.
"This amendment will hold big oil and gas to the same environmental standards as every other industry in preventing unnecessary runoff from construction sites that could contaminate our rivers, lakes and streams," said Arcuri. "By giving them a pass on this important regulation, we're essentially assuming the oil and gas industries will take the necessary environmental precautions on their own. That's the same sort of fast-track approach that led to the BP oil spill."
This amendment is part of a larger strategy on the part of Reps. Arcuri, Maurice Hinchey (NY-22), Diana DeGette (CO-01) and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar (MN-08) to ensure that oil and gas development is conducted in a manner that does not threaten public health or the environment. It is especially important as New York State considers rules for the development of natural gas reserves in the Marcellus Shale Formation.
Before 2005, EPA had begun to issue stormwater regulations for the construction of oil and gas drilling sites. In the middle of this process, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 was signed into law, giving the oil and gas industries a permanent exemption for all construction activities related to oil and gas exploration and production.
These construction activities can contribute more sediment runoff than would otherwise be deposited over several decades, causing physical and biological harm to our lakes, rivers, streams and bays. Every other type of development is required under law to get a permit from EPA that covers stormwater management during construction - except for the oil and gas industries.
Arcuri added, "Say you are a farmer building a new barn on your property, or a homebuilder developing a new subdivision, or for that matter, building a single home you need a stormwater runoff permit from the EPA before you can begin anything. It's mind-boggling that every single form of development and construction requires a permit from the EPA to ensure our surface water is protected from contamination except for oil and gas drilling and exploration sites."
The Oil Spill Accountability and Environmental Protection Act of 2010 (H.R. 5629), which included Arcuri's amendment, was reported favorably by the committee. As the fight now moves to the House Floor, Arcuri will continue to work with Rep. Maurice Hinchey (NY-22) and other environmental advocates.