ALBANY, NY (WENY)--WHILE GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL IS IN ITALY FOR AN INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE SUMMIT, ADVOCATES AND LAWMAKERS IN ALBANY CALL ON HER TO SIGN A BILL TO BAN A DIFFERENT TYPE OF FRACKING PRACTICE THAT USES CARBON DIOXIDE TO EXTRACT METHANE.   

“We encourage Governor Hochul to call up the bill sign it into law, so we can continue moving forward in ways that not only protect the environment but protect the health and well-being for all residents here in New York state,” said Sen. Lea Webb (D-52nd Senate District).

FOR SOME THE MAIN WORRY STEMS FROM THEIR CONCERN OVER A NUMBER OF DISEASES AND HEALTH EFFECTS THAT THEY SAY CAN COME FROM CARBON DIOXIDE FRACKING.  

“The heavy metals that it leaches out of the ground include arsenic, and cadmium, and the radioactive materials all of which are associated with adverse health effects and ground water can be contaminated,” said Barton Schoenfeld, a cardiologist.

THE LEGISLATURE passed THE LEGISLATION NEARLY TWO MONTHS AGO AFTER AN OUT OF STATE COMPANY SOUGHT TO USE THE SOUTHERN TIER’S natural GAS RESERVES FOR CARBON DIOXIDE FRACKING.  

SOME LAWMAKERS SAID WHEN THE bill CAME TO THE FLOOR BACK IN MARCH, IT PASSED QUICKLY BECAUSE IT HAD LITTLE OPPOSITION.  

“This was such a no brainer, for the environment that with all due respect the concept of the Governor having an issue, I don’t believe it, we just got to get her to sign it,” said Sen. Liz Krueger (D-28th Senate District).

SOME LAWMAKERS SAid THEY HAVE SPOKEN TO THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE AND HEARD SHE’S AWARE OF THE BILL.