1/23/2012 - Attorney David Slottje tells the Vestal town board why they can, and should, enact a moratorium or a ban on gas drilling. New York State law clearly gives towns the authority to restrict gas drilling altogether, despite misleading statements to the contrary from gas drilling proponents. In fact, they plant such false doubts in order to scare towns into waiting until after permits are issued to consider moratoria/bans, so as to put towns in a weaker legal position, with increased liability. The town should pass a moratorium before the state issues permit and the companies invest in HVHF. Slottje and his wife Helen work pro bono to help towns craft ordinances to preserve their rights.
