Union Town Board to Receive Petition Backing Frack Ban

A Broome County group opposed to fracking is submitting hundreds of petition signatures to the Town of Union board.

The organization, Town of Union Citizens Against Fracking, says the petition supports a moratorium on high-volume hydraulic fracturing.

Group co-founder Erin Riddle, who lives in Westover, says 500 signatures are contained on the petition that was to be turned over to the board.

Riddle says the fracking foes are calling on the town board members to take "urgent action" to protect Union residents.

Group members want the board to schedule a public hearing on the issue and on a proposal for a local fracking ban or moratorium.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has been reviewing thousands of comments from people and groups on proposed fracking regulations.

Governor Andrew Cuomo reportedly has been considering limiting the first round of fracking for natural gas to the Southern Tier. Cuomo has not confirmed those reports.