Fracking: Oil company sues to overturn San Benito County fracking ban; could affect other counties

[alp227]

Source: San Jose Mercury News

An oil company has sued to block San Benito County's voter-approved fracking ban in a move that could affect the growing trend of California cities and counties' efforts to stop the controversial oil drilling practice of hydraulic fracturing.

In the lawsuit, Citadel Exploration, based in Newport Beach, is attempting to overturn Measure J, approved by 59 percent of San Benito County voters four months ago.

If the company is successful, the lawsuit could impact other places where local officials are discussing bans, and where activists are considering ballot measures in 2016, including Santa Clara, Alameda, Monterey and Butte counties, along with Santa Cruz County, whose board of supervisors approved a countywide ban on fracking last spring.

Measure J supporters say they are frustrated that Gov. Jerry Brown and state lawmakers haven't banned fracking, a technique in which water and chemicals are pumped underground to release oil and gas -- so they decided to go around them.

Read more: http://www.mercurynews.com/science/ci_27626990/fracking-oil-company-sues-overturn-san-benito-county

[DebJ]

1. Wow. I'd like to hear how that turns out. And I wish the CEO's would frack each other. n/t

[C Moon]

2. I wonder if they have a judge in their back pocket.

[djean111]

3. And - the TPP will enable other countries - or, I think, American corporations with a branch in

other countries - to sue over laws and regulations that they feel affect their ability to make a profit.

Not in a US court, but in a secretive corporate court, judged by corporate lawyers. TTIP also allows for this. This is the new Investor State world.

This is what Obama wants the Fast Track for. To folks who legally pass laws to prevent pollution in their neighborhood - tough shit. Corporations will rule.

[mtasselin]

4. Stop TPP

If TPP passes any company either foreign or domestic can come into this country and do anything they want and if we don't let them they can sue the city, county, state or federal government.

[roody]

5. Goodbye, clean water. Did somebody say "drought"?

[CrispyQ]

6. A government of, by & for the corporations.

[Red1]

7. Surprised

The right isn't yelling about fuel prices going up because of this..