CITIZEN POWER ALLIANCE

Opponents of hydraulic fracturing said Wednesday a judge's decision to uphold a small town's gas drilling ban may put more pressure on municipalities to enact their own bans. Drilling supporters, meanwhile, expect a court appeal.

Judge Phillip Rumsey, a Supreme Court justice in Tompkins County, ruled Tuesday that the Town of Dryden had the legal authority to use its zoning laws to ban gas drilling and heavy industry within its boundaries.

The decision led opponents of hydrofracking to call for more local governments to pass a ban or moratorium on the drilling process, citing the decision as proof municipalities have that right.

"By upholding Dryden's fracking ban, Judge Rumsey has brought a renewed sense of hope to the many cities and towns concerned with fracking," said Katherine Nadeau, program director for Albany-based Environmental Advocates of New York.

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