Situation Report

submitted by Margery Schab

capitalnewyork.com - by Scott Waldman - March 7, 2014

ALBANY—A consultant hired by the state Health Department to assist in a review of the health effects of fracking recently published a study that concluded “substantial concerns and major uncertainties” should be resolved before it is expanded nationally.

Governor Andrew Cuomo has indicated that his final, long-awaited decision on whether to permit fracking will depend on the department's findings. 

John Adgate, of the Colorado School of Public Health, surveyed a number of recent health-related studies of fracking and published his findings last month in the Environmental Science & Technology journal.

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CLICK HERE - STUDY - Potential Public Health Hazards, Exposures and Health Effects from Unconventional Natural Gas Development

Manuel Sanchez takes in the view of his flooded home and property on September 14, 2013 in La Salle, Colorado. Photographer: Marc Piscotty/Getty Images

businessweek.com- by James Rowley - March 4, 2014

The U.S. House passed legislation trimming premiums for government-sponsored flood insurance

The measure would limit premium increases to 18 percent per policy or 15 percent of an average of premiums in a particular flood zone.

The House bill, H.R. 3370, must be reconciled with legislation passed by the Democratic-controlled Senate that House Republican leaders said would roll back too many of the 2012 law’s changes. The Senate bill is S. 1926.

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Mayor Bill de Blasio appointed Maya Wiley, at right, as his counsel; Emily Loyd, first left, as his Department of Environment Protection Commissioner, and Donna M. Corrado, far right, as Department of Aging Commissioner. (Photo - New York City Mayor's Office Twitter Account)

silive.com - by Jillian Jorgensen - February 18, 2014

CITY HALL -- Mayor Bill de Blasio announced three appointments to his administration Tuesday, including a new Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner who said Hurricane Sandy rebuilding and resiliency efforts will be among her top priorities.

De Blasio named Emily Loyd to the top DEP post - one that she held previously from 2005 to 2009. She was most recently Administrator of Prospect Park and President of the Prospect Park Alliance.

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