Do we need more proof Moneyed Interests control our government? If so, here it is~

[RiverLover]

Texas Energy Committee Passes Bill Blocking Municipal Fracking Regulations
3/31/2015



Four anti-fracking organizations said that a bill in the US state of Texas legislature meant to overturn municipal oil and gas hydraulic fracturing ban in Denton, Texas, passed the Energy Committee on Monday is an affront to local government.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — A bill in the US state of Texas legislature meant to overturn municipal oil and gas hydraulic fracturing ban in Denton, Texas, passed the Energy Committee on Monday is an affront to local government, four anti-fracking organizations said in a joint statement.

“In the past, towns have been able to decide for themselves whether they wanted drilling operations next to homes, day care centers, churches, or hospitals,” Denton Drilling Awareness Group President Cathy McMullen, one of the four organizations, said in the statement on Monday.

“Not anymore. Politicians in Austin think they know better than us what’s good for our towns,” McMullen added.

Earthworks, Earth Justice and the Natural Resources Defense Council are the other three organizations that joined in seeking to uphold the fracking ban.

The city of Denton sits on the massive Barnett Shale where the practice of hydraulic fracturing was first perfected.

In early November 2014, the city's residents passed by a six-to-four margin a ban on fracking within the city's limits.

Within hours, the Texas Oil & Gas Association and the Texas General Land Office sued the city....

http://sputniknews.com/us/20150331/1020235633.html

[djean111]

1. If/when the TPP and other "trade" agreements pass, corporations from other countries,

or American corporations who have branches in other countries, I believe, can sue over regulations like these in a private court and the regulations would have to be overturned or the municipality or whatever would have to pay for estimated lost profits.

Pretty fucking good deal right?

[RiverLover]

2. Scary bad deal.

I don't get the willingness to put short term, finite profits over the current well-being & health of citizens, not to mention the future of coming generations & the planet.

Then to spread its reach even more with the TPP, and lets not forget the TTIP. Truly destructive forces.