The Corning Leader reports that Chesapeake Energy withdrew its application for a permit to dispose of wastewater in an abandoned well near Pulteney. The withdrawal happened this morning, and contradicts Chesapeake's earlier position expressed in a February 2 letter to Eric Massa.
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So does the Elmira Star-Gazette.
http://www.stargazette.com/article/20100216/NEWS01/100216015/Chesapeake+...
Woot! For the time being…
True to form NY State Sen. George Winner is taking credit. In a story from 12News WBNG Winner says "On the community’s behalf, I have been in direct contact with company officials over the past several weeks to fully express the community’s opposition, which I share, and to urge the action now underway to put a stop to the project."
But WE know better. This victory is OUR victory. We built a grassroots movement that most people thought had very little chance of stopping Chesapeake Energy or NY State. But WE did it, with help from many people including Congressman Eric Massa and no help from George Winner.
Eric Massa gets it, he says "While some politicians may try to swoop in and take credit for today's news, clearly this victory belongs to the citizens that fought to protect the place they call home.”
And there's an earlier Star-Gazette posting that references a release from Winner.
http://www.stargazette.com/article/20100216/NEWS01/100216013/Update++Che...
(This story also has links to letters from Chesapeake to the EPA and DEC claiming that they are model environmental citizens even though they don't care what anyone thinks or thinks about them.)
Has anyone run across the full release from Winner?
And finally, the FL Times covers the proposal from Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association to regulate drilling and waste in the future that was sent to Gov. Paterson earlier this month: http://www.fltimes.com/articles/2010/02/16/news/doc4b7ad27dc9f7999337266...
Never mind; I was too anxious. Winner's release is up at his website now. http://www.nysenate.gov/press-release/chesapeake-energy-stops-plans-wast...
Winner learned his lesson on this one.
One would hope. I also wonder how many of his constituents learned a lesson and will remember it long enough.
I'm afraid, not enough. Too many voters in the area vote the brand (a.k.a. party)
You know, it never would happen but it did occur this weekend that if he could be talked into it--and I know this never would happen, repeating myself--Randy Kuhl should step in and primary George. As a State Senator, Randy was exemplery. Truly. PLUS he lives on Lake Keuka and for years and years has been sensitive to it. I have had it with George Winner though I suspect he easily will slide through next time out.
Wasn't there news here on The Fighting 29th that after his defeat, Kuhl moved to Florida?
Oh, I'm sure he still owns his place on Keuka Lake; he just doesn't "live" there anymore. (What is to "live" there to a professional politician who spent decades in Albany, and then 4 years in Washington?)
Yes, Randy took good care of his friends in Hammondsport too. Whenever I pass the site of the condos at the head of the lake and of the state boat launch, I think of him.