Fracking victories at the voting booth

Ballot Question 300: Longmont fracking ban storms to victory
By Scott Rochat Longmont Times-Call
Posted: 11/06/2012

The charter amendment bans hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” a process used by oil and gas drillers to crack rock deep below the surface of the earth. Supporters of a ban say the practice is environmentally risky; opponents say the risks are exaggerated and that the measure would bring lawsuits and expensive claims for “taking” mineral rights.

The ballot question also forbids the storage of fracking waste in city limits.

Broadview Heights Issue 29 passes, mayor fears it will create more problems for the city
Published: Wednesday, November 07, 2012

After countless heated discussions during City Council meetings between members of Mothers Against Drilling in our Neighborhoods and city officials, voters in Broadview Heights passed Issue 29.

City’s ‘environmental bill of rights’ is OK’d

MANSFIELD — City Law Director John Spon said voters’ decisive 62.9 percent approval Tuesday of a new “environmental bill of rights” as part of the city’s charter will bolster the city’s position in regulating injection wells if another company seeks to build one here.

“What the passage of this bill of rights means is that the voters are expressing their opinion to the courts that their voices should be heard in the voters’ desire to protect their own community,” he said.

“They overwhelmingly ratified it — therefore it is a very loud voice of the people. A court cannot disregard the voice of the people on this issue,” he said.
5:41 AM, Nov 7, 2012