NY town rescinds fracking 'gag order' after sued
Environmental groups withdraw free speech lawsuit after NY town rescinds fracking 'gag order'
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- Environmental groups have filed to dismiss a federal free speech lawsuit against an upstate New York town after the town board rescinded its ban on discussion of natural gas drilling at meetings.
The town board in Sanford, in Broome County, passed a resolution in September saying no further discussion of gas drilling and fracking would be allowed because the emotional debate was disruptive and repetitive.
The Natural Resources Defense Council and Catskill Citizens for Safe Energy filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in February on behalf of town residents who opposed the so-called "gag order."
On April 9, the board passed another resolution saying it rescinded the order but reserved the right to limit comments of any speaker to three minutes.
NRDC said Wednesday it was withdrawing the lawsuit.
