Two Gas Lawsuits Are Dismissed

Another legal challenge to the delay in a decision on whether natural gas drilling should be allowed in New York State is sunk.

A State Judge has dismissed two lawsuits filed by the Joint Landowners Coalition of New York and the trustee of the estate of Norse Energy, which went bankrupt during the on-going moratorium.

Acting Supreme Court Justice Roger McDonough ruled the two groups filing the suit lacked the authority to bring a legal challenge.

The groups claimed that not allowing them to take advantage of environmental resources had caused serious damage, which Judge McDonough said was purely economically driven.

The Judge said neither entity had suffered environmental harm from the ban.

State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman praised the ruling calling it a victory for the protection of drinking water and a safe environment.