New York's fracking ban faces federal lawsuit

And what to expect on the state budget next week.

Good afternoon — It’s Friday and Hemophilia Day.

In today’s CapCon:

• New York’s ban on fracking would be struck down if a new federal lawsuit filed by property owners in Delaware County is successful.

• Here’s what to expect next week in terms of timing on the state budget.

• Energy regulators in New York have ordered energy service companies to refund $71 million to their customers.

• The renomination of an MTA board member is before the state Senate next week.

• Bills on the Move: Polling places in New York’s local jails, disclosing “ghost jobs” and more transparency from NYSERDA.

• New Bills of Note: Empowering tenants to bargain with their landlords, allowing THC beverages at liquor stores and the use of AI by law enforcement.

Names in today’s CapCon: Thomas Woodward, Tyler Fry, Rory Christian, Blanca P. Lopez, Zellnor Myrie, Mike Gianaris, Didi Barrett, Leroy Comrie, Gabriella Romero, Julia Salazar, Clyde Vanel, James Sanders, Jeremy Cooney, Al Stirpe, Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn

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Advocates against fracking in 2013 (Mike Groll/Associated Press)

⚖️ New York’s fracking ban challenged in new federal lawsuit

When Thomas Woodward and his son purchased 164 acres of land in Delaware County in 2011, they thought it would be a lucrative investment.

They purchased the land and its mineral rights with an intent to lease it for the extraction of natural gas. The property sits on top of the Marcellus Shale and Utica Shale — two areas with large underground reserves of natural gas.

But the method for extracting that natural gas was on hold at the time while the state Department of Environmental Conservation reviewed the potential impact of the practice.