Environmental Activists Protest Outside Of Obama's Address To The Clinton Global InitiativeWell, that’s actually a hybrid quote from opposite ends of the fracking spectrum that came alive today when New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the state would move to ban hydraulic fracturing.

“Today Governor Cuomo did the right thing for New Yorkers by listening to experts and issuing a ban on fracking. This victory for health and climate belongs to the thousands of grassroots organizers who led a years long fight to defend their communities from Big Oil and Gas. They defeated millions of dollars in lobbying and paid misinformation with grassroots energy and bold organizing,” – 350.org’s Fracking Campaign Manager Linda Capato

On the other hand, industry supporters couldn’t disagree more:

“Robust regulations exist at the federal and state levels nationwide for natural gas development and environmental protection. A politically motivated and equally misinformed ban on a proven technology used for over 60 years – throughout the country to great success – is short-sighted and reckless, particularly when New York depends on safely produced natural gas just over the border in Pennsylvania.” – API New York State Petroleum Council Executive Director Karen Moreau

And somewhere closer to the middle, the Environmental Defense Fund took the opportunity to remind folks that New York is one of the country’s largest natural gas consumers and methane leakage from the gas transportation and distribution system must be addressed as part of an effective greenhouse gas emission reduction strategy:

“The risks associated with hydraulic fracturing and unconventional oil and natural gas development are so serious, EDF believes that every state has the right to decide whether or not development is consistent with the interests and wishes of its citizens. New York State has made its decision — but with or without drilling here, New York remains the country’s fifth largest natural gas consumer, with an extensive network of gas transmission and distribution lines. Methane leaking from these systems has more than 80 times the climate-warming power of carbon dioxide over a 20-year timeframe. State officials and the companies that operate these pipes need to find and fix those leaks as part of the ongoing effort to modernize New York’s electric and gas infrastructure and accelerate the state’s transition to cleaner, renewable, and more efficient energy.” – Mark Brownstein, Associate Vice President, US Climate and Energy Program