After fracking ban, some New York towns want to secede

• Marie Cusick
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  Marie Cusick was the Harrisburg reporter for StateImpact Pennsylvania.

A group of towns in New York’s Southern Tier is looking into the possibility of seceding and joining Pennsylvania, according to WBNG-TV.

The Upstate New York Towns Association cites property taxes, low sales tax revenue, and the recent decision to ban hydraulic fracturing in New York.

From WBNG:

Late last year, New York state officials decided to ban hydraulic fracturing within their borders, citing health concerns. 

The state’s acting health commissioner Howard Zucker said there are gaps in the scientific data, but believes there are many “red flags” and questions about the risks of fracking. Oil and gas industry groups criticized the decision as a political move by Governor Andrew Cuomo.

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