High Volume Hydraulic Fracture drilling for natural gas is now officially banned in New York State.

The Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner said the ban was the only reasonable alternative after years of research into the effects of fracking.

Joseph Martenz said the report, which took years to finalize, included thousands of comments from public hearings and input from the New York State Department of Health.

Martenz says it was concluded there was no feasible way to make sure the drilling method would not hurt water supplies, the environment, wildlife habitat, public health and infrastructure.

Local anti-fracking activists are celebrating while many in landowners’ coalitions contend the fight is not over.

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