Most townships in Broome County, NY have passed resolutions with language saying something to the effect of “Let’s let the state Dept. of Environmental Conservation do it’s job, we won’t pre-judge the outcome. We won’t enact a ban or moratorium ahead of the DEC.” And rightly or wrongly, both sides of the fracking debate take that to mean a show of support for drilling. The only municipality in Broome County to enact a moratorium (so far) is the City of Binghamton, which was done in an eleventh hour political stunt by Binghamton’s failed Mayor Matthew Ryan (see this MDN story). His folly is now costing city taxpayers big bucks to defend.
The first town in Broome County to consider a moratorium or outright ban on fracking is the Town of Chenango. Last night the town board held a public hearing to elicit comments from residents. MDN was there for a portion of it.
