Hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” has been linked to everything
from polluted water to earthquakes but the rush toward developing the
practice hasn’t slowed much.
Although, residents of small towns across New York state have
something to be hopeful for. They were successful in banning the
practice, for now.
Could this be how the controversy is resolved?
This week, a New York state judge ruled that the town of Dryden,
N.Y., could prohibit fracking as part of its zoning ordinance. It’s one
of 30 towns throughout central and southern New York that have taken the
step. State environmental officials in New York placed a moratorium on
fracking while they come up with new regulations to cover oil and gas
drilling in the underground geological deposits.
