Current Events Digest

Wow, there's a lot of stuff happening!! I'm going to attempt to promote the most important events and calls to action here, as posted by SACRED:

Firstly, since the NY State senate overwhelmingly passed the Fracking Moratorium 2 weeks ago, Governor Paterson has publicly expressed that he will not support drilling until there is “overwhelming evidence that nothing will happen” to harm clean water supplies. This is a dramatic departure from his policy previously, and I know that many people are relieved and ecstatic for this change of heart. Also, there is a possibility that the State Assembly will reconvene for a special session to vote on the Moratorium, so PLEASE call your assembly people and voice your support for the Hydrofracking Moratorium!!!

Next: I was driving home from Middletown the other day and saw my first anti-fracking billboard on Route 17 - THIS IS FANTASTIC!  I hear there's another one further up on 17 as well. BIG Thank you to all the organizations that pulled this together - SACRED, Catskill Mountainkeeper, Catskill Citizens for Safe Energy, GASLAND producer Trish Adlesic, and Earthjustice. 

Also, lawn signs are now available and it would be so powerful to start seeing them cropping up all over Sullivan county. You can get them through Catskill Mountainkeeper, Catskill Citizens for Safe Energy, and at the Bethel Farmers Market on Fridays. 

If you're in NYC, there will be a Town Hall meeting concerning the EPA study on Hydrofracking, on August 24^th from 5-8 pm at the Borough of Manhattan Community College, 199 Chambers Street. Please RSVP to (212) 788-6871 or events@council.nyc.gov by Friday, August 20th. 

Other events happening soon (from SACRED):

Sullivan County Gas Drilling Forum at Monticello High School (third and final in the series), “Economic and Community Impacts” this Thursday, August 19^th,  at 5:45PM

GAS STOCK, August 21^st at Luzerne County (PA) Fairgrounds, see http://gasstockconcert.com/Home_Page.php or http://pavendors.com/events/luzerne-county/lehman-pa-august-gas-stock.htm.

Sunday, September 5^th, Picnic and Gasland screening at the Callicoon Youth Center, 8 Creamery Road, Callicoon, NY.  Picnic and music at 6pm.  The movie begins at 8.  Admission is free.  Director Josh Fox and actor Mark Ruffalo will speak.

The positive momentum to stop hydofracking is exciting, but is based on energy. Any little part you can do to make a difference is important! Please take a minute to call your assembly person! 

Some very good links:

http://www.yesmagazine.org/planet/the-fight-against-fracking
http://www.riverreporter.com/issues/10-08-12/editorial.shtml
http://pafaces.wordpress.com/2010/04/23/stephanie-hallowich-speaks-out/