NY Chefs Form Group to Oppose Fracking

This is interesting—and odd—news: A bunch of chefs in New York City (where else?) have formed a group to support a ban on the fracking that if it happens, will happen four hours from where they live and work. Why? Uh yeah, good question.

Restaurant industry opposition to the controversial gas-drilling method known as hydraulic fracturing is growing as increasing numbers of high-profile New York chefs, restaurateurs, food suppliers and industry executives have joined the effort to lobby Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, the State Legislature and the State Department of Environmental Conservation to ban the process.

More than 90 kitchen celebrities and food-business leaders have publicly given their support to Chefs for the Marcellus, an anti-fracturing advocacy group named after the natural-gas-rich Marcellus Shale rock formation that runs under several states.

“We’re trying to raise a voice against this, signing petitions and writing letters,” said [Bill Telepan, owner of Telepan Restaurant], who said he had immersed himself in the fracking literature and was disturbed about the impact of the drilling process on farmers, livestock and people. “This goes beyond affecting chefs, it could have a huge impact on those who live in upstate New York. The drinking water, and the land, and the food upstate will be affected – and then all of us will be affected.”*

So Mr. Telepan has read some anti-fracking leaflets dropped off by a customer (no doubt), and that’s convinced him that fracking is evil (just like fossil fuels are evil, right?). OK, well then Mr. Telepan, why don’t you unhook your stoves and your restaurant from the natural gas that powers it and go back to burning wood. Seems if you want to walk the walk, that’s what you need to do.

In the meantime, don’t look now, but you have bigger problems. Mayor Nanny Bloomberg is coming for your big gulp sodas.

*New York Times (Jun 14, 2012) – Restaurant Industry Moves Against Gas Drilling