New York Towns Consider Secession, Cite Fracking Ban

Concerned about their economic fate, several upstate New York towns have expressed interest in joining Pennsylvania instead.

1 minute read

March 8, 2015, 10:53 AM PDT

By Philip Rojc @PhilipRojc

$Image of hydraulic fracturing equipment$

UkberriNet / Flickr

New York recently moved to ban fracking, a decision that impacts towns on the Southern Tier of the state. From the article: "The secession seed apparently was planted by Conklin, N.Y. town supervisor Jim Finch (R) back in December when New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced a ban on the gas extraction technique. Conklin is part of the towns association. 'The Southern Tier is desolate,' Finch told WBNG. 'We have no jobs and no income. The richest resource we have is in the ground.'"

The towns in question, located in Broome, Delaware, Tioga, and Sullivan counties, are studying the economic effects of a move to join Pennsylvania, their neighbor in the south. State politicians like Senate Majority Deputy Leader Tom Libous (R) have surveyed their residents to gauge public support. "The towns association on Sunday said in a statement that it would consider the results of Libous' survey as well as its own study comparing taxes and the cost of doing business in Pennsylvania versus in New York."

FULL STORY: 15 New York Towns Are Exploring The Idea Of Secession

Monday, February 23, 2015 in Talking Points Memo

Energy Environment Government / Politics New York New York State Southern Tier upstate New York Fracking Fracking Ban Pennsylvania Natural Gas Secession Access to Jobs Small Towns Andrew Cuomo View More

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.