Buffalo City Council Votes to Ban Gas Drilling and Fracking

Pittsburgh made headlines not too long ago by approving a measure to ban corporate personhood and the controversial natural gas drilling practice of "fracking" which can contaminate water sources. And now, Buffalo is rocking the boat too. Buffalo News reports:

The Common Council has voted to ban any form of natural gas extraction in Buffalo, including a controversial mining technique known as hydrofracking.

Ban supporters admit this afternoon's unanimous vote is largely symbolic, given the fact that no "fracking" projects have been proposed in Buffalo. But they insist the ban could be a catalyst in spurring similar actions in municipalities in New York, Pennsylvania and other states where gas-rich Marcellus Shale is located.

What's also interesting is that although the city doesn't have any current plans for gas drilling, the community is worried that the sewer department has been accepting fracking wastewater for treatment, which has undisclosed toxic chemicals in it and they're hoping to get to the bottom of that issue as well. High fives, Buffalo.