Take Two: Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr.

Addabbo Takes Part in Earth Day Forum on Hydrofracking

Queens, NY - Calling it “a fitting way to recognize Earth Day and keep the health and future of our environment on the front burner,” New York State Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr. (D-Queens) took part in an April 25th Senate forum designed to invite public comment and debate on the controversial practice of hydraulic fracturing, or “hydrofracking” – a complex process of extracting natural gas from shale through drilling. 

This form of drilling, also known as “fracking,” is now under consideration in New York State, Addabbo noted, and the forum offered an opportunity for those concerned about hydraulic fracturing to present general information about the practice, as well as discuss its impact on the environment in other states where it is already occurring. 

“This kind of input is invaluable to legislators who are trying to make determinations regarding the pros and cons of fracking,” said Addabbo.      

At the forum, Addabbo said that hydrofracking “represents uncharted territory for residents of our state, but one thing is certain: we simply can’t take chances with our water quality.”

The senator has written to the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to express his grave concerns about the safety of the process and its impact on the state’s environment.

“Frankly, I don’t want to find ammonia persulfate magnesium nitrate, cristobalite polyethoxylated alkanol, ethane-diol potassium hydroxide, formaldehyde sodium hydroxide, or any of the many other foreign substances that are byproducts of hydrofracking in the soil or in my water.  If you can’t even begin to pronounce a chemical, why would you want to take the chance of drinking it?” added Addabbo.

Senator Addabbo is a co-sponsor of bipartisan legislation (S.6261) that would suspend the issuance of new permits for this form of natural gas drilling in New York State until June 2013.  

If approved, the senator expects that the suspension of permits for hydraulic fracturing until next year will enable the Legislature to evaluate the true environmental impacts of the drilling, and will also provide adequate time for review of the Draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (DSGEIS) on hydrofracking to be produced by the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). 

“Yes, we need to reduce our reliance on foreign oil, but at what cost to current and future generations? We need to know everything there is to know about hydraulic fracturing before we make any irreversible decisions on whether to go forward with this kind of suspect gas extraction,” Addabbo said. 

“We must have credible and accurate testing as to the dangers and overall issues presented by fracking. There must be no doubt as to the safety of our drinking water and the overall public health.”

Addabbo added that he looks forward to continuing to work with his legislative colleagues, the governor’s office, and the DEC on this very important environmental issue. 

“We shouldn’t ‘frack’ without the facts,” he concluded.

Local Veterans and Their Spouses Find Help Entering Job Market

Pictured at the Veterans Job Readiness Workshop held April 27 at Glendale’s Atlas Park mall are (L-R) Assemblyman Mike Miller; Patricia McKeever, AARP/Driver Safety Volunteer; Eneida Barone, AARP/Driver Safety Marketing Specialist; Senator Joe Addabbo; and Gloria White, AARP/Driver Safety Volunteer.

Queens, NY - At the Veterans Job Readiness Workshop held April 27 in Glendale's Atlas Park mall, veterans from the Bronx, Manhattan and Queens prepared for job searches and the upcoming Veterans and Spouses Job Fair on June 8, which was also be held at the mall.

The April 27 workshop was co-sponsored by Senator Addabbo and Assemblyman Michael Miller, and both will co-sponsor the June 8 workshop. 

According to Senator’s Abbabbo’s office, last Friday’s event provided local veterans and spouses opportunities to enter the job market by having them interact with representatives from 16 organizations and agencies.

The representatives provided information on conducting job searches, resume evaluations, interview tips and techniques, and transitioning to civilian life.