Small Town Gets Court To Ban Fracking

March 1, 2012

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.

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