Town of Chenango Narrowly Rejects Drilling Moratorium

The Town of Chenango is not banning oil and gas drilling within its borders, at least for now.

A 3-2 vote January 2nd sank a proposal that would have imposed a one-year moratorium on drilling.

Officials said they doubted New York State would approve drilling this year anyway, so a moratorium would be pointless.  The move could have also set the stage for expensive lawsuits by gas interests.

Those voting in favor of the moratorium said, even if drilling legislation in the state were not to come this year, Chenango could have sent a message to New York lawmakers by enacting the ban.