Well, this is a pleasant surprise.

Albany, N.Y. — New York state’s environmental commissioner said today he will ban fracking in New York.

DEC Commissioner Joseph Martens said a five-year study by DEC on fracking will be released next year.

“I will then issue a legally binding findings statement prohibiting (fracking) in New York state at this time,” Martens said at Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s year-end cabinet meeting.

Martens made his announcement after a detailed presentation by state health commissioner Howard Zucker, who concluded that he would not allow his family to drink tap water in an area where fracking occurred.

“I cannot support (fracking) in the great state of New York,” Zucker said.

Zucker said studies showed harmful health effects from fracking, and there were not enough long-term studies to show the effects over time.

Fracking banned in NY and the beginning of normalization of relations with Cuba? Merry Christmas, Wingnuts!