On Friday a lower court judge heard testimony in the “Article 78” case brought by Norse Energy and the Joint Landowners Coalition of New York (JLCNY) against Gov. Cuomo, Dept. of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens, and State Health Commissioner Nirav Shah–to force the release of new fracking regulations. Sadly, the man who is supposed to work for the residents of New York, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, decided instead he works for the man-child who can’t make a decision, Andy Cuomo, so he filed a motion to dismiss the Article 78 lawsuit brought by Norse and the JLCNY (see NY AG Schneiderman Files to Dismiss JLCNY Lawsuit Against Cuomo). The judge on Friday held a hearing to consider that motion. Fortunately, the motion to dismiss was not granted. Not yet anyway.
The heart of Friday’s hearing centered on the issue of, “How long is long enough?” for the state to conduct a review and release new drilling regulations. We have quotes from various sources who were there. It was obvious the judge grilled the pro-drilling side harder than the rep from the AG’s office. However, near the end (as you’ll see below), the AG rep shot herself right in the foot and perhaps tilted the chances for the lawsuit to go forward in favor of Norse/JLCNY…
