Ossining, NY – February 12, 2013 – In a testament to the power of one of the greatest grassroots movements this state has ever seen, Commissioners Dr. Nirav Shah of the Department of Health (DOH) and Joseph Martens of the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) have announced today that they will postpone the decision on whether to allow high-volume hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in New York State pending further review of fracking’s impacts on human health. DEC will wait to finalize the Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement on fracking until after DOH completes the public health review, which DEC requested in November of 2012.

In response to the inspiring news, Paul Gallay, President and Hudson Riverkeeper, released the following statement:

“Riverkeeper applauds Governor Cuomo and Commissioners Shah and Martens for postponing the decision on fracking, as the science and facts of fracking’s human health, environmental, and socioeconomic impacts remain unclear. Riverkeeper has long called for a robust and transparent Health Impact Assessment that will analyze the full range of fracking’s potential impacts to human health, and we are gratified that the actions taken today could allow the state to take the time to ensure such impacts are properly considered. We do not agree, however, with Commissioner Martens that DEC may issue fracking permits without first implementing protective regulations, and we will be watching this issue carefully.”