Governor Cuomo Sued To Compel Fracking In New York

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by Long Island Attorney Paul A. Lauto, Esq

Hydraulic Fracturing (fracking) is spreading across many states in our country like wild fire.  This rapid growth is fueled by greed, under the veil of being the salvation for our country’s energy problems.  Fortunately in New York, as a result of a public outcry, Governor Cuomo has indefinately stayed the use of fracking pending the results of full evaluations by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Department of Health (DOH).

The ongoing evaluations by the DEC and the DOH started in 2008 and 2012 respectively, without any imposition of a completion deadline.  Many in New York suspect that Governor Cuomo is intentionally delaying the review process until after he completes his election bid for a second term as Governor this November. Fracking opponents in New York believe that no news is good news, while fracking proponents have lost their patience and have now resorted to litigation to get their way.

The Joint Landowner’s Coalition of New York (JLCNY) has sued Governor Andrew Cuomo and others, to compel resolution of the fracking evaluations so that fracking may commence in New York without any further delay.  This litigious move by this pro fracking coalition, is effectively subscribing to the belief that we should let the health and safety of New Yorkers be damned and close out the evaluations (complete or not) so that the money making fracking train may start rolling.

This court action should come as no surprise, as fracking companies will seemingly stop at nothing to secure their profits.  This was evidenced and detailed in our November 13, 2013 blog entitled, “Fracking Company Sues Homeowner With Flammable Water For Alleged Defamation” (See www.liattorney.com/scales-of-justice.html).  Although many New Yorkers would like to know where Governor Cuomo stands on this issue prior to casting their votes this November, his basis for abstention pending the outcome of the DEC and DOH evaluations is ironclad.

Andrew Cuomo has become a formidable politician who to date, has succeeded in getting most everything he wants as Governor.  If Governor Cuomo sides against the fracking industry, New York will become a battleground as we bare witness to a true “Clash of the Titans.”  If this comes to pass, hopefully the residents of New York will not become collateral damage.

Long Island Lawyer
Paul A. Lauto, Esq.
www.liattorney.com

Paul A. Lauto, Esq.
Paul A. Lauto, Esq. completed his undergraduate studies at SUNY at Stony Brook in 1987, with a major in political science and a double minor in socio-legal studies and moral-legal issues in philosophy. Mr. Lauto received his Juris Doctor from New York Law School in 1990 and was admitted in 1991 to practice in the courts of New York State, as well as the Eastern and Southern Districts of the United States District Court.

Mr. Lauto has primarily focused on personal injury throughout his career and previously worked as in-house counsel to a major insurance company. In 2002 Mr. Lauto established Paul A. Lauto, PLLC, with a primary concentration on personal injury, all types of accident cases, Wills, Trusts and Estates and more. Paul is the sole author of his Scales of Justice blog, which provides updates and information about current legal stories in the news and how they may affect our lives. Mr. Lauto prides himself on providing clients maximum results, with a high level of personal attorney service and attention that is uncommon in the profession. For more information please visit http://www.liattorney.com