Opponents of high volume hydraulic fracture drilling for natural gas in the region are calling the latest legal action by the Joint Landowners Coalition of New York another expensive, unnecessary distraction and a political stunt.

The Binghamton-based Landowners Coalition this week filed an appeal to the New York State Supreme Court ruling that stated the group had no basis for suing the governor, the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Department of Health for not approving guidelines to move forward fracking in the state.

The landowners claim fracking is safe and they are being kept away from benefits from drilling on their own properties by the state’s lengthy evaluation of the fracking that’s lasted six years.

Opponents say the controversial method that injects chemical-laden water deep underground into the Marcellus Shale formation poses a risk to water supplies and general health.

An appeal could take several months to work its way through the court.

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