The decision came in the supreme court of Pennsylvania. Where judges voted 4-2 to overturn new laws that limited the ability of municipalities in the state to regulate hydraulic fracturing for oil and natural gas drilling.

Pennsylvania\’s Republican governor Tom Corbett had previously announced the laws in an attempt to limit local bans on fracking. Several such moratoriums have been pursued by cities and counties in Pennsylvania. And around the country.

The new laws looked to be putting regulatory power firmly back in the hands of the state government. A move that would have streamlined oil and gas development here.

But no more. With the laws now overturned by the supreme court, municipalities will be free to impose their own bans on fracking. Effectively halting development in such locations.

via This Court Ruling Could Raise Natural Gas Prices.