Editorial: Do We Want Natural Gas?

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Editorial: Do We Want Natural Gas?

Written by Karen Gellender Friday, 25 January 2013 00:00

The long discussion on improving energy performance at the latest Syosset CSD Board of Education meeting got me thinking about fuel sources, not just for the school district but throughout our area.

It is a point of concern that most of the savings Syosset would realize on the Siemens plan for updating their heating systems is projected to come from changing over from oil to natural gas, and getting that gas comes at a price.

During the election season, there was a lot of talk about hydrofracking for natural gas, or fracking. We don’t have to worry about fracking on Long Island proper (we don’t have the geology for it), but we do have to be concerned with it happening nearby. If fracking is allowed to occur in New York, there’s a possibility that Long Island’s wastewater treatment plants could end up dealing with the byproducts—and our aging plants are overtaxed as it is. Senator Carl Marcellino (5th SD), among other local officials, has stated that he is against Long Island processing any fracking waste, but just because our elected representatives are generally against it doesn’t mean it won’t happen.

You have to wonder: is it right to make use of natural gas obtained through fracking if we don’t want to have to deal with the logistics of processing it? I’m not unilaterally against the use of natural gas, but it seems to me that ethically, if we use it, we should be prepared to clean up after it. Plus, if fracking leads to significant environmental problems, the money saved by switching from gas to oil will look like pocket change compared to the damages.

I don’t know if technologies that come with much fewer ethical dilemmas, like solar panels, are even feasible at this point for most projects. But I would encourage Syosset CSD, and any other entity considering switching fuel sources, to make sure to research all of the options before deciding to make a commitment to natural gas; there’s an awful lot going on here, and a dizzying array of opportunities to be proven pennywise and pound foolish.

-K.G.

News

Syosset's BDG Bids For Nassau Coliseum

Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00

Syosset’s Blumenfeld Development Group (BDG), headed by Ed Blumenfeld, has proposed a $200 million design to demolish Nassau Coliseum and build a new arena and state-of-the-art exhibition center for the 21st century.

“The existing facility cannot be effectively retrofitted,” said Brad Blumenfeld, BDG Vice President, adding “Our team is committed to building a new, preeminent facility—other proposals only call for renovations to the existing arena.”

Tensions Spark At School Board Meeting

Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00

During a Syosset school board meeting last week, tension arose between Superintendent of Schools Carole Hankin, Trustee Joshua Lafazan, and Fred Gang, a resident speaker on transparency and accusations made against the district.

During public comment, Gang expressed disapproval of the district’s proposed budget for 2013-14, and inquired about reports of the district’s use of software to target various community members with the objective of increasing voter turnouts — which is illegal under New York State election law as Gang pointed out.

Sports

Syosset Lacrosse Defeats MacArthur

Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00

In the last of three quarter-final games at Hofstra University’s Shuart Stadium on Wednesday evening last week, the Syosset Braves boys’ lacrosse was victorious over the MacArthur Generals in a hard fought 5-4 victory that went into triple-overtime.

With both teams playing their hearts out for possession of the ball, it was Syosset freshman Mac Okeefe who found the hole necessary in MacArthur’s tight defense, and delivered the win for his team.

USTA Honors Syosset and Woodbury Tennis Players

Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00

The U.S. Tennis Association’s Long Island Region recognized several area residents, including New York State’s top male and female high school singles players, for their tennis playing or volunteer achievements.

Syosset’s Josh Levine was a New York State and Nassau County Boys’ Singles Champ at Cold Spring Harbor High School. This was Levine’s second consecutive year winning the New York State championship. Peggy Gluck and Nadine Netter won the Women’s 60s Doubles Eastern, and Flo Levine was the Adult Volunteer of the Year.