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TXOGA Sues To Stop Denton Fracking Ban

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DENTON (CBSDFW.COM) - The Texas Oil & Gas Association filed a lawsuit in district court on Wednesday morning asking the a judge to stop the state's first ban on hydraulic fracking. The citizens of Denton on Tuesday approved the ban with 59 percent of the vote, preventing the practice within city limits.

The ban essentially freezes future natural gas development in Denton.

According to the lawsuit, state agencies already govern drilling and any of its effects on health and the environment. The filing claims that Denton's ban, therefore, is unconstitutional. The Texas Land Commissioner's office has also said that they were prepared to sue if the issue passed.

Denton Mayor Chris Watts has promised to fight any challenges to the city's fracking ban. "It is the committment of the City Council to defend it as they would any other ordinance on the books," he said.

The lawsuit filed on Wednesday asked the court to keep the ban from going into effect until all legal questions are answered.

>> Read The Entire Court Filing <<

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