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Texas Nixes Voter-Approved Denton Fracking Ban

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DENTON (CBSDFW.COM) — Fracking is set to resume in Denton next week, only months after it became the first Texas city to ban the practice.

The City of Denton issued a statement Friday saying it can no longer enforce the fracking ban voters approved seven months ago, citing new state law that limits their power and voids the ban.

Governor Greg Abbott signed legislation Monday that would prevent cities like Denton from banning a wide variety of drilling practices.

During last November's election, Denton voters banned fracking within the borders of the city of about 125,000 residents, eliciting immediate vows by oil and gas drillers to topple that ban. The state and the drillers filed lawsuits, and the Legislature fulfilled the drillers' vows last week.

The natural gas company Vantage Energy has notified the city it will resume fracking May 27th.

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