Key takeaways

• On December 17, 2014, Governor Cuomo’s administration announced that it will soon issue a legally binding Findings Statement prohibiting hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) in New York State.
• The announcement was accompanied by a New York State Department of Health review of the effects of fracking on human health. The review concluded that too much scientific uncertainty remains regarding the health effects of fracking for the state to allow the practice, but that evidence suggests numerous negative health effects.
• Landowners with mineral rights in the Marcellus Shale region have threatened to file suit challenging the state’s action.