Fracking Ban Upheld in Dryden and Middlefield

Dryden and Middlefield are within their rights to ban hydraulic fracture drilling for natural gas.

A New York State appeals court has ruled that municipalities can regulate land use through code legislation while the state is responsible for overseeing the technology and safety where drilling is taking place.

The four-judge Appellate Division panel ruled unanimously that state law does not supercede local authority when it comes to land use regulations.

The ruling comes in Norse Energy's challenge to the municipal bans.

Norse plans to seek permission to appeal.