The state Court of Appeals, New York’s highest court, upheld bans on hydrofracking imposed by local governments in a 5-2 ruling last week. The case was originally brought by the natural gas industry looking to overturn local zoning restrictions that prohibited the horizontal drilling technique known as hydraulic fracturing. The gas industry argued that it is outside local government "home rule" authority to ban entire industries. The court, however, disagreed.

To read the full court decision, click here. Click here to learn more.