Anti-hydro-fracking advocates converged on the state capitol in Albany Monday to lobby for a ban on the controversial drilling method.
An estimated 600-people from across appeared to call on the state to ban hydro-fracking. "People turn out in droves from all corners of the state. Buffalo Binghamton Rochester, Syracuse Ithaca New York City, the Hudson Valley," said Robert Moore is executive director of Environmental Advocates of New York.
Health and environmental groups are demanding lawmakers pass new legislation to prevent the controversial drilling method. They say regulation won't safeguard water supplies from fracking contamination.
Moore said they are lobbying for several pieces of legislation.
"Making sure the waste water from hydro-fracking is reclassified as hazardous waste. It's really important to do that. To make sure this stuff doesn't just get sent to sewage treatment plants," said Moore.
The State Assembly has already taken up some measures in the past couple of years to close loopholes in existing laws as well as approval of a one-year moratorium on fracking. Now Moore says they turn to the Senate for support.
Those against hydro-fracking met with more than 130-legislative offices Monday.
Independent Oil and Gas Association of New York issued the following statement in response to Monday's massive lobbying effort:
“The concerns being raised by opponents of natural gas development are precisely the issues that DEC has been studying for nearly four years. Real science will enable the DEC to set appropriate environmental safeguards that allow for the safe extraction of natural gas in New York. We must seek a balance between protecting the environment and restoring jobs and economic vitality to this state."