New York State's highest court ruled that cities, towns and villages have the right to ban hydrofracking within their borders, Assemblyman Stirpe announced. The decision, which was affirmed by a majority of the Court of Appeals judges, asserts that the home rule authority of municipalities to regulate land use cannot be preempted by the statewide Oil, Gas, and Solution Mining Law (OGSML).

"The long-term effects of hydrofracking are still unknown. This ruling will help ensure the health and safety of our families while validating the notion that our local communities have a say in what happens in their own backyards," said Assemblyman Stirpe.

Hydrofracking is a method of extracting natural gas from underground rock formations through the injection of a cocktail of chemicals and highly pressurized water. There is concern that hydrofracking could have serious negative impacts on the environment and our health by contaminating clean drinking water supplies, noted Assemblyman Stirpe.

Studies are currently underway examining the long-term effects of hydrofracking on the environment and public health. However, these studies are not expected to show significant results for three or more years. As a result, Assemblyman Stirpe also helped pass legislation in the Assembly to continue the ban on horizontal and high-volume hydraulic fracturing in New York State for another three years, allowing for more time to make an informed decision that will impact the community as a whole (A.5424-B).

Please click here (http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Al-Stirpe/video/) to view a video.