New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has been straddling the fence on horizontal hydrofracking for natural gas (fracking) since he became governor in 2008. In 2011, he gave the anti-fracking contingent half a glass by saying that regulations should not be finalized until a health study was completed—leaving half the glass empty by nixing requests to have the study conducted independently, rather than controlled by the state. In 2012, he indicated informally (via a leak to The New York Times) that fracking would eventually be allowed in New York State on a limited basis, largely in Southern Tier areas where the populace seems to support it. But no official action was taken then, and none has been taken since.

Cuomo is nothing if not a political animal, and the fact that he declined to come down clearly on one side or the other of the fracking controversy before the 2014 elections has come as no surprise. Cuomo has been faced with a choice between enraging his natural base, which includes environmentalists likely to be opposed to fracking, or the powerful funders related to the drilling industry. And punting on the issue before voters went to the polls was clearly to his advantage.

But now, the elections are over and there are four more years to go (or two, should he decide to go for the Presidency) during which Cuomo might hope voters will forget their disappointment over any actions he might take now. This lends credibility to rumors that a decision is imminent—and it’s expected to be in favor of giving fracking the go-ahead, at least in the Southern Tier.

Perhaps Cuomo views the idea of permitting fracking, but initially restricting the location, as desirable political compromise. But in the case of an issue like fracking, where the potential damage is irreversible—polluted aquifers cannot be repaired—“compromise” is just another name for cutting the baby in half.

That means it’s time for New York activists who have put fracking on the back burner during the drilling moratorium to heat things up again. Signing online petitions is some help, but phone calls have more impact, and postal mail letters even more. We need to make it clear to Gov. Cuomo that a misstep on fracking will not be quickly or easily forgiven or forgotten.

The 33% of the vote that the virtually unknown, but emphatically anti-fracking Zephyr Teachout netted in the New York State Democratic primary against the established political dynast sent a message about the enthusiasm quotient Cuomo can expect from his base in any upcoming elections should he make it clear that he values his ties to big corporate donors more than the health and safety of his constituents and their environment. We need to nail the message home.

Damascus Citizens for Sustainability urges you to let Gov. Cuomo know now that fracking in New York State is not just bad policy and bad science; it’s bad politics. You can mail him at The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of New York State, NYS State Capitol Building, Albany, NY 12224 or call him at 518/474-8390.

[Barbara Arrindell is the director of Damascus Citizens for Sustainability, headquartered in Narrowsburg, NY.]