Fracking company sues the state of New York to end drilling moratorium
A defunct oil-and-gas company is making good on a threat to sue Gov. Andrew Cuomo and two of his top commissioners, arguing that the state’s review of hydraulic fracturing violates laws meant to guide the process. Norse Energy USA, through its bankruptcy trustee, filed the lawsuit in state Supreme Court in Albany late Tuesday, according to attorney Thomas West. The court papers will be formally served on the state Wednesday, West said.
The suit asks the court to force the Cuomo administration to finalize a study that will determine whether large-scale fracking -- a controversial technique to help extract gas from shale formations -- can proceed in New York, arguing that repeated delays in the state’s decision-making process are grounds for a judge to intervene.
“This open-ended timetable and lack of transparency is an abuse of power and nothing more than a sham excuse for political delay,” West said.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation first launched its fracking review nearly 5 1/2 years ago, while a separate analysis by state Health Commissioner Nirav Shah began in September 2012. High-volume fracking remains on hold in New York until that work is finalized.
http://www.pressconnects.com/article/20131217/NEWS10/312170086/Norse-Energy-trustee-sues-Cuomo-over-fracking-report