Voters Demand Transparency From Candidate With Deep Ties to Anti-Environment Corporations
Albany, NY – In an effort to ensure voters understand the relationship between candidate for New York State Attorney General John Cahill and major international oil and gas corporations, the Sierra Club and Citizen Action of New York today launched a petition campaign urging Cahill to disclose his clients. Cahill and former Governor Pataki co-founded the Pataki-Cahill Group, a firm that, according to state meeting records, represents major energy companies that support the dangerous practice of hydrofracking (New York Daily News, 4/28/2014).
“When New Yorkers go to the polls, they deserve to know the full extent of a candidate’s connections to major corporations that put profits before the health and safety of ordinary people,” said Roger Downs, Conservation Director, Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter. “John Cahill has an obligation to let voters know who he’s working for and how those relationships would impact his decisions if elected.”
“With all the dangers associated with hydrofracking, oil transportation, and other fossil fuel-based energy production, it’s critical that we get a clear picture of John Cahill’s business interests,” said Ivette Alfonso, President of Citizen Action of New York. “New York needs to be protected from those who put profits before our health and safety.”
Cahill has so far refused to release a list of clients, surprisingly saying “I don’t see any conflict…,” (Associated Press, 6/16/2014) despite public records showing that his firm represents clients that have financial interests in fracking.
Validating concerns about Cahill’s business interests is his record as former commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Conservation under former Governor Pataki. During his time as commissioner, corporations that were found to have major pollution violations were allowed to avoid fines and other penalties, (New York Times, 2/1/1997) and DEC staff was reduced, causing environmental organizations to blame the administration for elevated disease rates (Associated Press, 10/26/1998).
The environmental and community organizations will work to collect signatures from New Yorkers over the next few weeks.