LOCAL HYDROFRACKING BANS 641
possible damage to their vineyard and the perception of damage
by customers.^68 Additionally, any damage to New York’s
landscape from hydrofracking could negatively affect tourism,
which in 2010 was a $6.5 billion engine for New York State.^69
There is also considerable fear that hydrofracking will cause
serious environmental damage. This fear is shared by a diverse
group of residents and environmentalists from all over New
York State.^70 Opponents of hydrofracking point to the
environmental issues currently facing Pennsylvania.^71 For
example, there are reports in Pennsylvania that natural gas
drillers are disposing of wastewater in rivers that supply
drinking water.^72 Environmentalists are afraid that the chemicals
used in creating the hydrofracking fluid and which are present in
the wastewater could be dangerous if added to drinking water.^73
There is apprehension about the specific nature of the chemicals
used in hydrofracking, since they are currently not disclosed to
the public.^74
(^68) See Hill, supra note 65 (discussing the possible damage to vineyards
from hydrofracking and the “public relations nightmare” of having
hydrofracking near vineyards).
(^69) Gralla, supra note 56 (noting that hydrofracking could lead to
“unsightly rigs and possibly scarred landscapes”).
(^70) See Members, NEW YORKERS AGAINST FRACKING,
http://nyagainstfracking.org/members/ (last visited Feb. 5 2013) (listing
members of Advisory Committee); Groups Rally to Prevent Fracking in NY,
CRAIN’S N.Y. BUS. (Jan. 11, 2013, 11:50 AM), http://www.crainsnew
york.com/article/20130111/ECONOMY/130119976 (describing efforts of
antifracking groups from “New York City to Buffalo”).
(^71) See generally David B. Caruso, ‘Fracking’ Wastewater Still a Problem
in Pennsylvania, NBC NEWS (Mar. 1, 2011, 6:35 PM), http://www.
msnbc.msn.com/id/41858136/ns/us_news-environment/t/fracking-wastewater-
still-problem-pennsylvania/ (detailing the harm caused in Pennsylvania by
hydrofracking wastewater); Urbina, supra note 3 (noting the environmental
concerns surrounding Pennsylvania hydrofracking).
(^72) Caruso, supra note 71.
(^73) See Caruso, supra note 71; see also Urbina, supra note 3.
(^74) See Kate Galbraith, Seeking Disclosure on Fracking, N.Y. TIMES
(May 30, 2012), http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/31/business/energy-
environment/seeking-disclosure-on-fracking.html (pointing out that while
individual states have different disclosure requirements they generally contain
a “trade secrets” provision that prevents public disclosure of certain