Status of Fracking in NY

Currently high-volume hydraulic fracturing (often called fracking) is not permitted in New York State. This page contains an archive of maps outlining how public support changed over time, including where fracking support existed and where bans or moratoria (temporary bans) were put in place by NY residents.

Many communities in New York state banded together to limit or delay unconventional natural gas drilling or related operations in their municipalities. The right for a municipality to choose to ban drilling was recently upheld in a 5-2 decision by New York State’s highest court, the Court of Appeals. The decision, which came down on June 30, 2014, can be read here. James “Chip” Northrup also provided a short history of the hydrofracking bans movement in New York State since 2011, as well as his recent analysis of why Governor Cuomo and his Commissioners of Environmental Conservation and Health announced on December 17, 2014 that high volume hydraulic fracturing would not be allowed in New York State.

For a link to our post and the video announcement at Cuomo’s Cabinet meeting on December 17, click here.

Fracking Bans and Moratoria in NY State

Below is a map and list of areas where gas drilling bans and moratoria have been enacted. For an interactive version of this same map, click here.

Note that some of these moratoria may have been extended, while others have expired.  All bans shown on this map, however, are still in place. This map is updated regularly by our Western Program Coordinator, Karen Edelstein. Click on the images to zoom in or print them. If any of the maps look incorrect, please contact Karen: edelstein@fractracker.org. Archived maps can be found at the bottom of this section.

Summary of movements against hydraulic fracturing. Updated 10/9/2017

Click to Expand

276

Municipal total: 92 bans, 96 moratoria (mostly current, although some may have expired), and at least 88 movements for prohibitions (bans or moratoria)

A spreadsheet of ban, moratoria, and movements, current as of October 9, 2017, can be downloaded here.

Archived Ban Maps

2017: June 12 | October 9

2016: January 7

2015: September 24

2014: December 30 | October 9 | September 30 | July 8 | June 13 | March 26 | March 11 | February 13

2013:  December 20 |  December 12 | November 22 | October 8 | September 6 |  Aug 1 | Jul 2 | Jun 20 | May 20 | May 1 | Apr 9 | Mar 16 | Feb 25 | Feb 12 | Jan 24 | Jan 16

2012: Dec 27 | Dec 20 | Nov 20 | Nov 8 | Oct | Sept | Aug 29 | Aug 14 | Jul 26 | Jul 13 | Jun 29 | Jun 14 | May 28 | May 20 | May 8 | Apr 27 | Apr 16 | Mar 29 | Mar 14 | Feb 29 | Feb 16 | Jan

2011: Dec 29 | Dec 15 | Nov 28 | Nov 16 | Oct 31 | Oct 16 | Sept 15 | Aug 30 | Aug 15

Movements Supporting Fracking

Numerous municipalities in New York State have passed resolutions indicating that they are open to high volume hydraulic fracturing. Here’s the most recent map, below, showing the towns over the Marcellus and Utica shale formations that have taken this step. (Please note that due to the decision not to permit fracking in NY State we have not updated this map in some time.)