The authority vested in towns and cities in New York to regulate use of their land extends to prohibitions on drilling, acting state Supreme Court Justice Donald Cerio ruled on Friday, dismissing arguments by a landowner who has already sold leases on almost 400 acres.

“Municipalities are not preempted…from enacting local zoning ordinances which may prohibit oil, gas and solution drilling or mining,” Cerio wrote. “The state maintains control over the ‘how’ of (drilling) procedures while the municipalities maintain control over the ‘where.’”

Jennifer Huntington, a dairy farmer, argued the town of Middlefield’s ban is preempted by a state law designed to create a uniform regulatory scheme for the oil and gas industry. But Cerio disagreed, holding that nothing in the legislative history of the law and its numerous amendments suggests state lawmakers intended to stop towns from barring heavy industry.

Middlefield is about 70 miles west of Albany.

Cerio’s ruling is similar to a decision released Tuesday that dismissed a bid by gas company Anschutz Exploration Corp. to overturn a drilling ban in the Ithaca suburb of Dryden.

In that decision, Supreme Court Justice Phillip Rumsey held state law was crafted to regulate industry in such a way that “protects the rights of all persons.”

The rulings come as the state Department of Environmental Conservation prepares a final report on the safety of fracking, which is currently not allowed in New York. Gov. Andrew Cuomo is expected to make a final decision on the issue later this year.

Fracking is a process in which chemical-laced water and sand are blasted deep below ground to release oil and natural gas trapped within rock formations. It has allowed companies to tap a wealth of new natural gas reserves in other states, but critics say the procedure has polluted water and air.

Middlefield’s attorney, David Clinton, was not immediately available to comment, but said earlier on Friday that victories in his case and in Dryden could have statewide implications.

“For the last year or so, the gas industry has been threatening (towns), ‘you’re going to lose in court, so don’t even waste your money,’” said Clinton, who is also a partner at Gozigian, Washburn & Clinton. “So (the Dryden decision) certainly emboldens other towns.”

Huntington’s lawyer, Scott Kurkoski of Levene Gouldin & Thompson, did not immediately return a request for comment, but said earlier this week that a ruling in favor of the town could chase drilling companies from the state.

“If the decisions are going to be made at the local level, they are not going to have an effective energy policy in New York,” Kurkoski said Wednesday.

Environmental groups celebrated the pair of decisions, which say “that ordinary citizens, and the local governments who listen to them, have power to determine the character of their communities for themselves,” the group New York Water Rangers said in a release.

But others maintained the Middlefield and Dryden rulings are likely to face challenges in state appellate courts, where they may be more insulated from local politics and could spur a reversal.

“The decisions reflect a political, reactionary response, not a logical and objective interpretation of the law,” said Richard Gerard, an Elmira attorney who represents landowners.

The case is Cooperstown Holstein Corp. v. Town of Middlefield, New York State Supreme Court, Otsego County No. 011-0930.

(Reporting by Dave Wiessner)

It was the best performance by a Japanese driver at Suzuka
since Takuma Sato finished fourth for BAR Honda in 2004 and one
that gave the crowd plenty to cheer after the recent exit of
Japanese teams.

Some 3,000 fans in “Kamui Kobayashi Corner”, a sold-out
grandstand section between turns two and three, were treated to
a stunning late surge but the driver himself played down his
performance.

“Basically, we scored points,” he told a throng of Japanese
media in the paddock, also noting the eighth-place finish of
team mate Nick Heidfeld.

“It was very difficult due to our starting position, but
such a result at the Japan Grand Prix is good.”

“I`m very pleased for the Japanese fans who watched an
exciting race,” said Kobayashi, Toyota’s reserve driver last
year, after showing all his fighting spirit to climb from 14th
on the grid.

“It was really something to come back here and race for the
first time in seven years in front of my home crowd.”
The rookie’s six points caught the attention of the media and
drew praise from his team.

“Kamui was simply incredible in his home race. The way he
overtook several competitors was absolutely spectacular,”
declared team CEO Monisha Kaltenborn.

The son of a sushi deliveryman, Kobayashi’s success this
season has earned him a contract extension with Sauber for 2011.

With Toyota and Honda no longer in the sport, and
Bridgestone soon to depart, Japan had been in a desperate need
of a driver to maintain national interest.

Kobayashi said he did not feel any extra pressure at Suzuka,
but was aware of how important his success was to keep the sport
on the Japanese radar.

He thanked the fans in his corner but admitted he had been
too focused on his driving to see them during the race.

(Editing by Ed Osmond; To query or comment on this story
email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

“It’s under discussion, but we would like to continue,”
Itaru Yamada, motorsports managing director of the Honda-owned
Mobilityland company, told Reuters.

Mobilityland’s contract with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone
ends in 2011 and the number of fans turning out has declined
from 150,000 in 2006 to an expected 100,000 later on Sunday.

The Toyota, Honda and Honda-backed Super Aguri teams have
all departed in the wake of the global financial crisis and
tyre supplier Bridgestone is leaving at the end of the current
campaign.

There are just two Japanese drivers on the starting grid,
the points scoring Kamui Kobayashi at Sauber and Sakon Yamamoto
whose financial backing is perhaps more evident than his talent
at Hispania.

“It’s been a tough environment for two years. The ‘Lehman
Shock’ has affected fans and teams,” Yamada said, referring to
the 2008 collapse of U.S. bank Lehman Brothers that brought the
global financial system to its knees.

“Despite the economic conditions, our ultimate aim is to
increase the number of spectators … to return to 150,000.”

Ticket prices for Suzuka, which went through a
multi-million dollar refurbishment before the 2009 race,
average about 30,000 yen ($364.3) and Mobilityland said
individual spectators had made up for weak corporate
entertainment spending.

Hotels in the central Japan prefecture of Mie are fully
booked.

Yamada said that when sales from hospitality, tourism and
retail businesses are calculated, hosting was flat to
marginally profitable but he gave no financial details.

KOBAYASHI CORNER

According to government estimates, the economic
contribution for Suzuka and Mie Prefecture was estimated at
about 11.9 billion yen in 2006, and 29.3 billion yen for all
Japan.

Kobayashi’s performances have been a big boost this year.

Even torrential rain could not dampen the spirits of some
3,000 fans in the sold out “Kobayashi Corner” between turns two
and three at the circuit on Saturday.

A Kobayashi goods concession, selling anything from 800 yen
pins to 29,000 yen jackets, attracted a small queue.

“His Grand Prix success has been very helpful in bringing
fans, and he and Sakon Yamamoto spent their summer holidays
promoting the sport in Japan,” said Yamada.

“We hope these efforts will bring Japanese companies back.”

Suzuka, the birthplace of organised racing in Japan whose
roads carry F1-named sites ranging from shopping centres to
hotels, is also home to a Honda factory employing 7,500.

Yamada said many Honda staff would still come to the race,
as well as fans from around the country, even in tough economic
times.

“They’re very faithful to this place,” he said.

(Editing by Greg Stutchbury; To query or comment on this
story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

“It’s under discussion, but we would like to continue,”
Itaru Yamada, motorsports managing director of the Honda-owned
Mobilityland company, told Reuters.

Mobilityland’s contract with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone
ends in 2011 and the number of fans turning out has declined
from 150,000 in 2006 to an expected 100,000 later on Sunday.

The Toyota, Honda and Honda-backed Super Aguri teams have
all departed in the wake of the global financial crisis and
tyre supplier Bridgestone is leaving at the end of the current
campaign.

There are just two Japanese drivers on the starting grid,
the points scoring Kamui Kobayashi at Sauber and Sakon Yamamoto
whose financial backing is perhaps more evident than his talent
at Hispania.

“It’s been a tough environment for two years. The ‘Lehman
Shock’ has affected fans and teams,” Yamada said, referring to
the 2008 collapse of U.S. bank Lehman Brothers that brought the
global financial system to its knees.

“Despite the economic conditions, our ultimate aim is to
increase the number of spectators … to return to 150,000.”

Ticket prices for Suzuka, which went through a
multi-million dollar refurbishment before the 2009 race,
average about 30,000 yen ($364.3) and Mobilityland said
individual spectators had made up for weak corporate
entertainment spending.

Hotels in the central Japan prefecture of Mie are fully
booked.

Yamada said that when sales from hospitality, tourism and
retail businesses are calculated, hosting was flat to
marginally profitable but he gave no financial details.

KOBAYASHI CORNER

According to government estimates, the economic
contribution for Suzuka and Mie Prefecture was estimated at
about 11.9 billion yen in 2006, and 29.3 billion yen for all
Japan.

Kobayashi’s performances have been a big boost this year.

Even torrential rain could not dampen the spirits of some
3,000 fans in the sold out “Kobayashi Corner” between turns two
and three at the circuit on Saturday.

A Kobayashi goods concession, selling anything from 800 yen
pins to 29,000 yen jackets, attracted a small queue.

“His Grand Prix success has been very helpful in bringing
fans, and he and Sakon Yamamoto spent their summer holidays
promoting the sport in Japan,” said Yamada.

“We hope these efforts will bring Japanese companies back.”

Suzuka, the birthplace of organised racing in Japan whose
roads carry F1-named sites ranging from shopping centres to
hotels, is also home to a Honda factory employing 7,500.

Yamada said many Honda staff would still come to the race,
as well as fans from around the country, even in tough economic
times.

“They’re very faithful to this place,” he said.

(Editing by Greg Stutchbury; To query or comment on this
story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Kobayashi was the Toyota team’s reserve at Suzuka last year behind Italian Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock, making a fleeting appearance in Friday practice when the latter was laid low with sickness.

He went on to replace Germany’s Glock, who was hurt in qualifying for that Japanese race, for the last two rounds and secured sixth place in the Abu Dhabi finale before Toyota pulled out of the sport and left him seeking a drive.

“That Saturday (at Suzuka) I couldn’t take Timo’s car but this year in Suzuka is different,” the 24-year-old told Reuters after heavy rain washed out practice and qualifying.

Kobayashi has picked up 21 points this season and started the campaign as the only Japanese driver in Formula One.

He has since been joined by Sakon Yamamoto at struggling Hispania, a team who have yet to come close to finishing near the points.

“It’s my first time back to Japan to race but there’s no pressure. I will just do my race,” said Paris-based Kobayashi. “Taking points constantly is my goal.”

Kobayashi, who hates raw fish despite his father running a sushi delivery shop in Amagasaki, has made rapid progress since Suzuka last year.

He has scored all but six of Sauber’s points this season and the Swiss-based team recently confirmed him for 2011.

With no Japanese teams, and tyre supplier Bridgestone also pulling out at the end of the year, Kobayashi is aware of how important he is to the future of F1 in Japan.

“That’s why I promote the sport. I’m not looking for sponsors as it’s still a tough environment,” said the youngster who once dreamed of becoming a comedian but found he was not funny enough.

RISING SON

On Saturday Kobayashi was presented with a number of Japanese flags signed by a growing legion of fans in the country.

Some 3,000 waited in an unrelenting downpour at “Kamui Kobayashi Corner”, a sold-out fan section between turns two and three at the circuit, for a chance to cheer their countryman.

Yuuki Miyashita said he arrived at 7am after driving two hours from central Nagano Prefecture.

“I’m very happy as I wanted to see a Japanese in the sport,” he said. “He’s different from Takuma Sato.”

Sato, Japan’s most successful Formula One driver, has not raced in the sport since the Super Aguri team folded in 2008.

The exit of Sato, as well as nearly all Japanese corporates except for the Honda-owned Mobilityland which operates the Suzuka facility, has left one of the world’s great car producing nations in search of a reason to care about the sport.

Mobilityland managing director Itaru Yamada said Kobayashi had been a boost for the Japanese fan base.

“His grand prix success has been very helpful in bringing fans,” he said.

At the “Kamui Kobayashi” concession stand, goods ranging from pins to jackets saw brisk demand even in the unrelenting rain.

Suzuka local Asuka Hino, working at the retail booth, said Kobayashi’s No. 23 hats had been the top sellers, but admitted her following of the nation’s rising son was mostly commercial.

“I have an interest but I’m not a supporter,” she said.

(Editing by Tony Jimenez. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Kobayashi was the Toyota team’s reserve at Suzuka last year
behind Italian Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock, making a fleeting
appearance in Friday practice when the latter was laid low with
sickness.

He went on to replace Germany’s Glock, who was hurt in
qualifying for that Japanese race, for the last two rounds and
secured sixth place in the Abu Dhabi finale before Toyota pulled
out of the sport and left him seeking a drive.

“That Saturday (at Suzuka) I couldn’t take Timo’s car but
this year in Suzuka is different,” the 24-year-old told Reuters
after heavy rain washed out practice and qualifying.

Kobayashi has picked up 21 points this season and started
the campaign as the only Japanese driver in Formula One.

He has since been joined by Sakon Yamamoto at struggling
Hispania, a team who have yet to come close to finishing near
the points.

“It’s my first time back to Japan to race but there’s no
pressure. I will just do my race,” said Paris-based Kobayashi.
“Taking points constantly is my goal.”

Kobayashi, who hates raw fish despite his father running a
sushi delivery shop in Amagasaki, has made rapid progress since
Suzuka last year.

He has scored all but six of Sauber’s points this season and
the Swiss-based team recently confirmed him for 2011.

With no Japanese teams, and tyre supplier Bridgestone also
pulling out at the end of the year, Kobayashi is aware of how
important he is to the future of F1 in Japan.

“That’s why I promote the sport. I’m not looking for
sponsors as it’s still a tough environment,” said the youngster
who once dreamed of becoming a comedian but found he was not
funny enough.

RISING SON

On Saturday Kobayashi was presented with a number of
Japanese flags signed by a growing legion of fans in the
country.

Some 3,000 waited in an unrelenting downpour at “Kamui
Kobayashi Corner”, a sold-out fan section between turns two and
three at the circuit, for a chance to cheer their countryman.

Yuuki Miyashita said he arrived at 7am after driving two
hours from central Nagano Prefecture.

“I’m very happy as I wanted to see a Japanese in the sport,”
he said. “He’s different from Takuma Sato.”

Sato, Japan’s most successful Formula One driver, has not
raced in the sport since the Super Aguri team folded in 2008.

The exit of Sato, as well as nearly all Japanese corporates
except for the Honda-owned Mobilityland which operates the
Suzuka facility, has left one of the world’s great car producing
nations in search of a reason to care about the sport.

Mobilityland managing director Itaru Yamada said Kobayashi
had been a boost for the Japanese fan base.

“His grand prix success has been very helpful in bringing
fans,” he said.

At the “Kamui Kobayashi” concession stand, goods ranging
from pins to jackets saw brisk demand even in the unrelenting
rain.

Suzuka local Asuka Hino, working at the retail booth, said
Kobayashi’s No. 23 hats had been the top sellers, but admitted
her following of the nation’s rising son was mostly commercial.

“I have an interest but I’m not a supporter,” she said.

(Editing by Tony Jimenez. To query or comment on this story
email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Kobayashi was the Toyota team’s reserve at Suzuka last year
behind Italian Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock, making a fleeting
appearance in Friday practice when the latter was laid low with
sickness.

He went on to replace Germany’s Glock, who was hurt in
qualifying for that Japanese race, for the last two rounds and
secured sixth place in the Abu Dhabi finale before Toyota pulled
out of the sport and left him seeking a drive.

“That Saturday (at Suzuka) I couldn’t take Timo’s car but
this year in Suzuka is different,” the 24-year-old told Reuters
after heavy rain washed out practice and qualifying.

Kobayashi has picked up 21 points this season and started
the campaign as the only Japanese driver in Formula One.

He has since been joined by Sakon Yamamoto at struggling
Hispania, a team who have yet to come close to finishing near
the points.

“It’s my first time back to Japan to race but there’s no
pressure. I will just do my race,” said Paris-based Kobayashi.
“Taking points constantly is my goal.”

Kobayashi, who hates raw fish despite his father running a
sushi delivery shop in Amagasaki, has made rapid progress since
Suzuka last year.

He has scored all but six of Sauber’s points this season and
the Swiss-based team recently confirmed him for 2011.

With no Japanese teams, and tyre supplier Bridgestone also
pulling out at the end of the year, Kobayashi is aware of how
important he is to the future of F1 in Japan.

“That’s why I promote the sport. I’m not looking for
sponsors as it’s still a tough environment,” said the youngster
who once dreamed of becoming a comedian but found he was not
funny enough.

RISING SON

On Saturday Kobayashi was presented with a number of
Japanese flags signed by a growing legion of fans in the
country.

Some 3,000 waited in an unrelenting downpour at “Kamui
Kobayashi Corner”, a sold-out fan section between turns two and
three at the circuit, for a chance to cheer their countryman.

Yuuki Miyashita said he arrived at 7am after driving two
hours from central Nagano Prefecture.

“I’m very happy as I wanted to see a Japanese in the sport,”
he said. “He’s different from Takuma Sato.”

Sato, Japan’s most successful Formula One driver, has not
raced in the sport since the Super Aguri team folded in 2008.

The exit of Sato, as well as nearly all Japanese corporates
except for the Honda-owned Mobilityland which operates the
Suzuka facility, has left one of the world’s great car producing
nations in search of a reason to care about the sport.

Mobilityland managing director Itaru Yamada said Kobayashi
had been a boost for the Japanese fan base.

“His grand prix success has been very helpful in bringing
fans,” he said.

At the “Kamui Kobayashi” concession stand, goods ranging
from pins to jackets saw brisk demand even in the unrelenting
rain.

Suzuka local Asuka Hino, working at the retail booth, said
Kobayashi’s No. 23 hats had been the top sellers, but admitted
her following of the nation’s rising son was mostly commercial.

“I have an interest but I’m not a supporter,” she said.

(Editing by Tony Jimenez. To query or comment on this story
email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Recalling how he watched the first motorcycle race at the Honda-owned Suzuka circuit as a schoolboy in 1962, and then in later years came to rub shoulders with some of motor racing greatest champions, Yasukawa will clearly miss Formula One.

“In 1976 and 1977 we supplied our tyres twice to Formula One in Fuji and at that time our dream was that one day we would come into Formula One,” he said after Japanese Grand Prix practice.

“Always I had a dream that one day I wanted to join Formula One. Then in 1997 we started and in 1998 we got the world champion with Mercedes Benz McLaren and at that time we had very good competitors.

“Now (we are) just by ourselves and very unfortunately we are going to stop at the end of this season.”

For the last three seasons, since rivals Michelin departed, Bridgestone have started every race knowing that their products will both win and lose — sweeping every podium and bringing up the rear in equal measure.

They have won 171 races and 10 respective driver and constructor championships.

CHANGING FOCUS

A pavilion at Suzuka documents for Japanese fans the highs and lows of the company’s time in the sport and seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher visited the company’s Tokyo headquarters earlier in the week.

Schumacher, now with Mercedes but once dominant with Ferrari, won 58 races on the tyres and scored more points than any other driver.

When the season ends in Abu Dhabi in November, Pirelli will take over as new sole supplier and Bridgestone will focus mainly on MotoGP, IndyCar and Super GT.

The company’s F1 exit follows that of Toyota Motor at the end of 2009 season and Honda in 2008.

Yasukawa said Bridgestone’s investment, estimated to have peaked at about $100 million annually including research and development, had paid off since he first asked F1 Supremo Bernie Ecclestone about buying advertising space at races.

“I contacted Mr. Ecclestone and Bernie asked how many races did we want to buy signboard space for, and I said, ‘all races’,” he told Reuters with a chortle.

(Editing by Peter Rutherford; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Recalling how he watched the first motorcycle race at the
Honda-owned Suzuka circuit as a schoolboy in 1962, and then in
later years came to rub shoulders with some of motor racing
greatest champions, Yasukawa will clearly miss Formula One.

“In 1976 and 1977 we supplied our tyres twice to Formula
One in Fuji and at that time our dream was that one day we
would come into Formula One,” he said after Japanese Grand Prix
practice.

“Always I had a dream that one day I wanted to join Formula
One. Then in 1997 we started and in 1998 we got the world
champion with Mercedes Benz McLaren and at that time we had
very good competitors.

“Now (we are) just by ourselves and very unfortunately we
are going to stop at the end of this season.”

For the last three seasons, since rivals Michelin departed,
Bridgestone have started every race knowing that their products
will both win and lose — sweeping every podium and bringing up
the rear in equal measure.

They have won 171 races and 10 respective driver and
constructor championships.

CHANGING FOCUS

A pavilion at Suzuka documents for Japanese fans the highs
and lows of the company’s time in the sport and seven-times
world champion Michael Schumacher visited the company’s Tokyo
headquarters earlier in the week.

Schumacher, now with Mercedes but once dominant with
Ferrari, won 58 races on the tyres and scored more points than
any other driver.

When the season ends in Abu Dhabi in November, Pirelli will
take over as new sole supplier and Bridgestone will focus
mainly on MotoGP, IndyCar and Super GT.

The company’s F1 exit follows that of Toyota Motor at the
end of 2009 season and Honda in 2008.

Yasukawa said Bridgestone’s investment, estimated to have
peaked at about $100 million annually including research and
development, had paid off since he first asked F1 Supremo
Bernie Ecclestone about buying advertising space at races.

“I contacted Mr. Ecclestone and Bernie asked how many races
did we want to buy signboard space for, and I said, ‘all
races’,” he told Reuters with a chortle.
(Editing by Peter Rutherford; To query or comment on this
story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

But Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij stressed that Thailand was committed to making efforts to win back investor confidence.

Korn, who expects firm economic growth in the first quarter, also told Reuters in an interview on Friday that he would be “very surprised” if Southeast Asia’s second-biggest economy expands in the April-June quarter from the previous three months.

“I don’t see investors leaving Thailand, but I think at the margin definitely investors may try to either go elsewhere or delay their investment decisions in Thailand. That’s natural and to be expected,” Korn said.

Korn added that optimistic forecasts for foreign direct investment into Thailand would need to be reviewed. Even before the latest violence, the Board of Investment forecast that foreign investment pledges this year could fall 15 percent.

“We need to get our house in order first before we expect our friends to trust us again, he said.

Life in Bangkok inched back to normal on Friday as the authorities cleaned up the capital after riots and arson attacks by anti-government protesters whose movement was put down by troops after a two-month rally.

In Bangkok, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Friday he was committed to a national reconciliation plan, two days after troops quelled the worst political violence in modern Thai history.

Korn was in Tokyo to attend a seminar after Abhisit cancelled a visit to Japan. He said earlier in the day he expected Thailand’s economy to recover fairly quickly if stability reached over the past 24 hours is maintained.

Korn said he was also meeting Japanese company officials during his visit.

Japanese firms are Thailand’s biggest investors and they have expressed concern about the political situation.

According to the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Japan’s direct investment in Thailand totalled 106 billion baht (2.3 billion pounds) in 2008, accounting for some 30 percent of total foreign direct investment.

“It is too early for me to be here to entice a higher level of investment. Frankly, I am here to tell the truth as good partners,” Korn said.

“Telling as it is means the same with admitting the fact that there remains enormous challenges we face and questions for which there is still no answer. But we also tell (them) our commitment to finding resolutions, so that the Thai people and Japanese people can continue to work together in Thailand.”

Korn said Thailand needs to convince financial markets that the kind of political conflict it has seen over the past few months would not happen again.

“If there is a sense that this kind of confrontation can break out any time, frankly that is too much political risk.”

“We (Thailand) were the second-biggest story after Greece and after Iceland’s volcano … Being a top story is rarely good news.”

(Editing by Chris Gallagher)