ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES, AND COMMISSIONS
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON ENERGY
ASSEMBLY LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) describes radon as a naturally-occurring radioactive gas released in rock, soil and water. The EPA also indicates that radon is a carcinogen that is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, after smoking.

Radon is prevalent in the environment. Recent research has indicated that shale gas contains higher levels of radon than conventional natural gas sources. While the EPA indicates that there is no "safe" level of exposure to radon, historically the gas delivered to New York has contained low levels of radon due to the half-life of radon and the geographic location of suppliers. This hearing seeks to solicit information regarding scientific research and data on the potential impacts on public health and safety linked to elevated radon levels in natural gas, and to solicit comment on Assembly bill A.6863-B, which amends the Public Health Law and the Public Service Law in relation to the protection of public health from exposure to radon in natural gas.

Persons wishing to present pertinent testimony to the Committee at the above hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form by Friday May 2nd. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.

Oral testimony will be by invitation only and limited to ten (10) minutes' duration. All testimony will be under oath. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committee will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to Committee staff as early as possible.

Fifteen copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committees would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

I plan to attend the public hearing on Impacts of Radon from Natural Gas on Indoor Air Quality to be conducted by the Assembly Committees on Health, Environmental Conservation, Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions, and Energy and the Legislative Commission on Science and Technology on Friday, May 9, 2014.

I would like to be invited to make a public statement at the hearing. My statement will be limited to 10 minutes, and I will answer any questions which may arise. I will provide 15 copies of my prepared statement.

I would like to be added to the Assembly mailing list for notices and reports.

I would like to be removed from the Assembly mailing list.

I will require assistance and/or handicapped accessibility information. Please specify the type of assistance required:

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