Banning

A pair of attorneys with extensive knowledge of New York’s regulatory, business and geological climates said the rules proposed by the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) governing high-volume hydraulic fracturing (HVHF) won’t hamper development of the state’s shale plays, and they believe permits will be issued soon.

A judge in New York State has ruled that an ordinance and a zoning requirement enacted last year by the town of Dryden, NY, essentially banning all Marcellus Shale oil and gas activities in the municipality, are not preempted by state law and can remain in effect.

With at least two cities having passed ordinances banning hydraulic fracturing (fracking) until local rules for it can be established, state legislation has been proposed (SB 88) to reiterate that the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) has jurisdiction to oversee the practice by oil/gas exploration and production (E&P) companies.

For the second time since its ordinance banning hydraulic fracturing was ruled illegal, the Morgantown City Council voted to table a decision to repeal the ban in order to make a “political statement” against the West Virginia state government.

More than two months after a judge ruled that its ordinance banning hydraulic fracturing (fracking) was illegal, the city of Morgantown, WV, has decided to table, not outright rescind, the measure as it looks for other ways to restrict the practice.

A Pennsylvania judge said he would try to render a decision by Friday (Oct. 7) over whether a controversial referendum banning hydraulic fracturing (fracking) should be placed on the November ballot in Peters Township.

The new mayor of Morgantown, WV, said he is concerned about the potential legal ramifications from the city’s new ordinance banning hydraulic fracturing (fracking), but he indicated that the city will keep the ban in place for now.

The new mayor of Morgantown, WV, said he is concerned about the potential legal ramifications from the city’s new ordinance banning hydraulic fracturing (fracking), but he indicated that the city will keep the ban in place for now.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie could issue a conditional veto over a bill banning hydraulic fracturing (fracking) by sending the measure back to the legislature and asking for changes.