Ryan: I Was Invited to Binghamton Pro-Fracking Event

Binghamton mayor Matthew Ryan says a website's report claiming he showed up uninvited to a forum about natural gas development is wrong.

A blog posted on the Energy In Depth site reported "Ryan thought it was his right to be there and so he decided to crash it."

Last week on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, the mayor said he had been invited to the event. Today, Ryan called the program to repeat that assertion.

Karen Moreau, executive director of the New York State Petroleum Council, which organized the forum, Monday morning told WNBF News she had invited Ryan to be there.

On Monday's program, Moreau said elected officials from Broome and Tioga counties had been invited to attend.

Mayor Ryan's office this morning released a copy of the invitation dated November 19th that had been sent by Moreau to City Hall.

The letter stated the mayor would be able to hear from industry experts and "have the opportunity to ask your questions" about natural gas development and hydraulic fracturing.

Moreau's letter closed by asking Ryan to "please join us in December to learn about this issue of great importance to you and your neighbors."

Ryan today refuted Energy In Depth's report that he "stormed into" the forum, which was held Monday evening at the downtown Binghamton Holiday Inn.

The blog claimed the mayor "crashed the event in a big way."

Ryan said he'd been advised he could bring a guest to the forum. He was accompanied to the event by Walter Hang, a vocal critic of fracking from Tompkins County.

Ryan said he's not happy with the misinformation posted on the Energy In Depth website.