Metro

Pro-frack group targets Cuomo in new ad

Stop fracking around, Gov. Cuomo.

Frustrated backers of drilling for natural gas upstate are launching an ad campaign to persuade Gov. Cuomo to allow the practice.

The ad includes statements by Mayor Bloomberg, President Obama and GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney endorsing the drilling practice known as hydro-fracking.

“New York doesn’t have to sit on the sidelines. Gas development in New York’s Marcellus Shale region is good for growing jobs and protecting our environment,” the ad put out by the coalition RebuildNYnow.org says.

The pro-frackers worry that the Cuomo administration’s lengthy environmental review of hydro-fracking is going to kill a a potential economic boom.

“It’s death by delay,” said Mike Elmendorf, head of RebuildNYnow.

Opponents claims fracking would harm groundwater.

For his part, Cuomo said he will announce his decision on fracking after the state Department of Environmental completes its review.