By The Associated Press

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) – Reaction to New York’s plan to prohibit hydraulic fracturing, or fracking:

“Today’s decision will shake the foundations of our nation’s flawed energy policy, and we can only expect that it will give strength to activists nationwide who are fighting fracking in dozens of states and hundreds of cities and counties,” said Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune.

“The decision implies that at least 30 other states, Sen. Schumer and the Obama Administration’s Environmental Protection Agency are wrong about the health impacts and do not care about the well-being of millions of American citizens, and discounts the successes that are occurring in Pennsylvania and elsewhere,” said Republican state Senate Co-Leader Dean Skelos.

“Woo! New York State just passed a moratorium on hydrofracking. Thank you, Gov. Cuomo, Joe Martens and Commissioner Zucker and thanks to all the beautiful, dedicated people in the anti-fracking movement who used science, their guts, their brains, and their hearts to make this day a reality. Love you,” actor-activist Mark Ruffalo said on Instagram.

“While other states across the nation continue to realize the numerous economic benefits from responsible natural gas development, New York State has yielded to a well-funded, fear-based propaganda campaign,” said Greg Biryla of Unshackle Upstate, a business coalition.

“This is a disappointing day for the people of the Southern Tier, and for the people of New York. The impact of this missed opportunity will be long-lasting,” said Heather Briccetti, president of the Business Council of New York State.

“Today is a major victory in the movement for safer energy,” said Ansje Miller of the Center for Environmental Health, a national nonprofit group. “Other states should follow New York’s example and join the movement for a clean energy future.”

“For more than two years, the governor has played politics with the economic futures of thousands of New Yorkers who are losing hope in a state with the highest taxes and worst economic outlook in the nation.” Rob Astorino, Westchester County executive and Republican challenger to Cuomo in the 2014 election.

“The news from New York today should be a wake-up call for the oil and gas industry and elected officials in Colorado,” said Pete Maysmith, the executive director of Conservation Colorado.

“Clearly, Gov. Cuomo has not heard that message of the ability of state governments to develop appropriate regulatory programs,” said Stan Dempsey, president of the Colorado Petroleum Association. He said states like New York “want to take, but they don’t want to give” when it comes to energy development: “For parts of New York, this is devastating. This was a great opportunity to revive their economy.”

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