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Health & Fitness

Hydrofracking Wastewater Ban?

Nassau legislators introduce legislation banning hydrofracking's wastewater from any county sewage treatment facility.

I am writing to bring some great news to Nassau County residents. Several civic members from the newly-formed groups Nassau County Coalition of Civic Associations, We the People Save Our Waters Coalition and other concerned citizens have been visiting the County Legislature and urging hearings and meetings about privatization and pushing for the enactment of legislation to ban hydrofracking wastewater.

We were very concerned that the concept of hydrofracking wastewater coming to our sewage treatment plants would become a reality since the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation listed Inwood, Bay Park, Cedar Creek and Glen Cove sewage treatment plants as possible recipients of wastewater from hydrofracking in New York State.

The likelihood of this occurring was exacerbated by the county's proposal to privatize our sewage treatment plants. Since private companies cannot be prevented from making profits, if Nassau doesn't ban it, there would be no law in place to prevent the private company from taking in the hydrofracking wastewater.

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I am very happy to report that legislators Dave Denenberg from Merrick and Glen Cove's Delia DiRiggi-Whitton introduced legislation that was sponsored by the Democratic legislators banning wastewater from hydrofracking at any of the county facilities. Legislators Ford, Kopel and Dunne also announced that they,
too, will be drafting similar legislation. County executive Mangano has indicated that he will sign the legislation.  The legislation is expected to go to legislative committees as early as next month.

That is great news! Wastewater from hydrofracking contains hundreds of chemicals and radioactive material.  Since the hydrofracking companies are private corporations, their privacy rights are protected inasmuch as they are not required to reveal the chemicals used in the process. 

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It is very important that this legislation be strong enough to ensure that it bans not only wastewater going into county facilities, but bans it from any facility, pipelines,
roadways, rails, airports and waterways anywhere in Nassau County.  

We the People Save our Waters Coalition and the Nassau County Coalition of Civic Associations continue to address the proposed privatization of our sewage treatment plant. 

We are very concerned about what will inevitably occur when a profit-driven private monopoly enters to take over what is now a revenue-neutral public system. Our sewer tax averages about $185 per year. Once privatized, what's to keep it from going as high as $185 per month? Our sewer rates could skyrocket.

Do we really want to have to worry about whether we can afford to flush?

If you'd like to help us address this issue, please call Claudia Borecky at 972-6988 or email contact@nassaucoalition.org.  

Please sign the Petition to Stop the Privatization of Our Sewage Treatment Plants by visiting:  http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/stop-the-sale-or-lease-of-nassau-county-sewer/.
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