Binghamton Rallies For And Against Fracking

President Obama is scheduled to be in Broome County Friday and those who support and oppose high-volume hydraulic fracturing for natural gas are ready to rally.

Governor Andrew Cuomo, who has yet to decide on allowing fracking in New York state, is not expected to be with the president during his Binghamton University appearance.

The group "New Yorkers Against Fracking" has announced plans to protest the president's visit.

Organizers say they intend to hold a rally on the Vestal campus Friday morning, shortly before Obama is to hold a town hall-style meeting focusing on the cost of a college education.

The group is critical of the president's support of the gas industry. Organizers say they want to call attention to the EPA's handling of reported water contamination incidents possibly linked to fracking.

The Joint Landowners Coalition of New York plans to hold what it bills as a "pro-gas President Rally and Summer Fun Picnic" at Otsiningo Park in the town of Dickinson.

Organizers are encouraging participants to bring signs, banners and truck-mounted billboards.

The coalition advised its supporters that attending the rally "is not a sign of political support for Obama." Organizers said not participating for political reasons would be a "sign of support for Cuomo's indecisiveness" on the gas issue.

The event is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday.