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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAnti-Fracking Win in N.Y. Court May Deal Blow to Industry
By Chris Dolmetsch, Freeman Klopott and Jim Efstathiou Jr. Jun 30, 2014 1:35 PM ET
June 30 (Bloomberg) -- Bloombergs Betty Liu reports that New York States highest court ruled that towns and cities can block hydraulic fracturing within their borders, upholding a six-year-old statewide moratorium on the practice. She speaks on In The Loop.
New Yorks cities and towns can block hydraulic fracturing within their borders, the states highest court ruled, dealing a blow to an industry awaiting Governor Andrew Cuomos decision on whether to lift a six-year-old statewide moratorium.
The case, closely watched by the energy industry, may invigorate local challenges to fracking in other states and convince the industry to stay out of New York even if Cuomo allows drilling. Pennsylvanias highest court issued a similar ruling last year, striking down portions of a state law limiting localities ability to regulate drillers.
This sends a really strong and clear message to the gas companies who have tried to buy their way into the state that these community concerns have to be addressed, Katherine Nadeau, policy director for Environmental Advocates of New York, an anti-fracking group, said in a phone interview. This will empower more communities nationwide.
The ruling may lead the oil and gas companies to further abandon efforts to extract gas in New York. Thomas West, an attorney for Norse Energy, one of the companies involved in the case, previously said the industry may turn its back on the state if local bans are allowed.
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http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-06-30/n-y-cities-win-right-to-ban-fracking-oil-industry-loss.html
littlemissmartypants
(22,417 posts)0rganism
(23,855 posts)After all, such locally-mandated restrictions could be construed as a violation of an energy corp's 14th amendment rights...