Norse Energy has followed through on its threat — filing suit against Gov. Cuomo and two state agencies to force them to finalize their fracking report.
The suit, filed by Thomas West of the West Law Firm in Albany County Supreme Court, seeks a public review of all conversations from and to the governor regarding the fracking study.
Norse alleges the state legislature in July 2008 voted to allow fracking, and then-Gov. David Paterson ordered a Department of Environmental Conservation study that was scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2009.
“This deadline has long passed and there is no end in sight,” the suit states.
The plaintiff wants a jury trial if “New York State responds by offering additional lame excuses for delay.”
Norse — if it wins — would force the state to release its results soon, and if the study concludes that fracking is safe, could lead to drilling permits being issued by the end of the year, West said.
A source following the situation believed the governor might actually welcome the suit, which essentially could relieve him of making the difficult political decision of whether to allow drilling.