Avella Calls on Cuomo to Meet With Him To Discuss Hydrofracking

State Sen. Tony Avella, D-Bayside, is calling on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to meet with him to discuss hydrofracking before a decision is made on whether to allow the controversial practice in New York State.

The senator sent a letter to the governor, requesting that they meet along with a group of scientists, medical professionals and environmentalists to discuss hydraulic fracturing, which involves extracting natural gas and petroleum by drilling into rock layers.

Last month, the New York Times reported that Cuomo was along certain counties on the New York-Pennsylvania border.

Avella has long been an opponent of hydrofracking, .

In his letter, the senator calls on the governor to hear what state scientists and environmentalists have to say on the matter.

“Many of these professionals have spent tremendous amounts of time and resources to provide both the administration and the Department of Environmental Conservation with scientific data raising their professional concerns about the safety of hydrofracking,” Avella wrote to the governor. “Yet, inexplicably, there has been virtually no return outreach from either your staff or DEC staff to engage in detailed conversations with these respected members of the medical and scientific communities.”

In May, Patch and more than 2,000 people cast their vote.