As first reported in The New York Times this morning, the anti-fracking groups Food & Water Watch today released a TV ad meant to apply public pressure to Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Department of Environmental Conservation’s pending study of the controversial natural-gas extraction process.

“As Governor Cuomo considers whether or not to open up New York to the dirty, polluting practice of fracking, he needs to know that he’ll be held accountable for whatever decision he makes, both locally and nationally. He needs to know that the road to the White House isn’t paved with drilling rigs,” said Food & Water Watch Executive Director Wenonah Hauter in a statement. “And the families in the Southern Tier who would be most immediately impacted by fracking need to know the startling facts about how inherently dangerous the drilling process is. Our ad spells it out.”

In the ad, a narrator urges viewers to “tell Governor Cuomo there’s no such thing as safe fracking.” Images are seen of people lighting water on fire from a water tap.

The spot, which will start airing today, comes as environmental groups are mobilizing in a last-ditch effort to halt high-volume hydrofracking, which is being eyed for the Marcellus Shale formation in the state’s Southern Tier.

Energy companies have been conducting their own company on a parallel track, hoping that Cuomo will allow fracking at least on a limited, phased-in basis later this summer.

Cuomo has not given any indication as to what he’ll do on issue, but has said he wants to review the relevant “science” before a decision is made.

Protests from anti-fracking groups will be making their way to the State Fair in Syracuse on Thursday, where Cuomo is expected to attend the opening day.

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