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

BCA Votes on Budgets, Candidates

Wednesday, 15 May 2013 00:00

During its April and May meetings, the Birchwood Civic Association welcomed Board of Education members and candidates from the Syosset School District, as well as Board of Education members and administrators from the Jericho School District to discuss budget proposals and issues facing the districts. The BCA voted to endorse both the Syosset and Jericho budgets, as well as the Jericho Library budget, acknowledging that all made a strong effort to retain programs while staying below the state tax levy cap. In addition, the BCA voted in support of Jericho's Proposition 2 regarding the establishment of a capital reserve fund. The Syosset Library budget was not reviewed.

Sports

Syosset Boys Lacrosse Defeats Plainview

Thursday, 16 May 2013 00:00

Enters Playoffs As Second Seed

The Syosset Braves varsity boys lacrosse team (7-1) were victorious over the Plainview JFK Hawks (5-3) last Friday afternoon, 12-5 in Conference I play. The Braves are the number two seed going into the playoffs, and the Hawks are the number six seed.

Ending the first two periods with a 6-2 lead, the Braves’ defense reduced Plainview’s potential comeback to only one goal, while Syosset scored four.