In Denton, Texas’ first municipal fracking ban takes effect

 

DENTON, Texas (AP) — The state’s first fracking ban has taken effect in Denton, a North Texas city located over a large natural gas reserve.

Voters passed the ban last month.

 

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An industry group and the state’s General Land Office responded quickly with lawsuits seeking an injunction in District Court to stop it from being enforced.

 

A court battle could determine whether any city in Texas can rebuff the oil and gas industry and still thrive.

 

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Denton’s City Council has pledged to defend the ban.

 

Bolstered by oil and gas companies, the ban’s opponents raised nearly 20 times more than supporters.

 

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But a University of North Texas analysis found that only a fraction of Denton homeowners own the minerals beneath their properties. In Texas, mineral rights and surface rights are separate.