Anschutz Exploration Corp. Sues N.Y. Town Over Fracking Ban

ITHACA, N.Y. - Anschutz Exploration Corp. has filed a court challenge to the recent drilling ban adopted by the Town of Dryden, which imperils Anschutz's $5.1 million investment in Marcellus shale gas exploration in the town. Anschutz Exploration Corp. v. Town of Dryden, et al., No. 000902/2011 (N.Y. Sup. Ct., Tompkins Cty.).

Anschutz filed the petition in Tompkins County (N.Y.) Supreme Court on Sept. 16, asserting that Dryden's amendments to the town's zoning ordinance are preempted by New York's 1981 Oil, Gas and Solution Mining Law, which expressly supersedes local jurisdiction over matters other than roads and property taxes.

The …