Texas cities can’t impose fracking bans after new state law
by The Associated Press
So much for the Republican battle cry of less government: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a law stopping local anti-fracking ordinances
AUSTIN, Texas—Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has signed into law a prohibition on cities and towns imposing local ordinances preventing fracking and other potentially environmentally harmful oil and natural gas activities.
The much-watched measure sailed through the GOP-controlled Legislature after voters in Denton, a university town near Dallas, banned hydraulic fracturing locally in November.
The new law limits not only the Denton ban but other actions communities could take limiting energy industry activities. It was backed by oil and gas concerns.
Abbott said he was protecting private property rights. He also said he saw no contradiction in the regulation superseding local voters’ will.
