The Ohio Supreme Court ordered a grassroots initiative in Youngstown that seeks to amend the city’s charter to prohibit oil and gas industry activity back on the November ballot, reversing the local county board of elections’ decision not to certify the issue for a vote.
Ballot
Articles from Ballot
Colorado Governor Makes Deal to End Local Control Ballot Measures
On the day of the deadline for statewide measures to qualify for the ballot, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper on Monday announced a deal for the withdrawal of two measures on local control issues related to oil and natural gas development.
Colorado Court Rejects Longmont Drilling Ban
As a backdrop to a larger drama that appears headed toward a statewide electoral stage, a Boulder County District Court judge on Thursday rejected a ban on hydraulic fracturing (fracking) by the city of Longmont, CO, but allowed the ban to stay in place while the city considers an appeal.
Colorado Governor Drops Plan for Special Oil/Gas Legislative Session
Once considered a lynchpin for resolving the ongoing debate about local authority over oil/natural gas drilling activities, a special session of the Colorado legislature will not be called, Gov. John Hickenlooper said Wednesday, drawing comments from industry and political representatives involved in crafting a proposed bipartisan solution (see Daily GPI, June 27).
Colorado Ballot Initiative to Allow Local Control of Oil, Gas Drilling
A ballot initiative under consideration in Colorado would give local governments control over oil and gas development. More than 50 local elected officials have sent a letter to Gov. John Hickenlooper expressing their support for the initiative.
Oral Argument Inconclusive on Colorado Town’s Fracking Ban
A state district court judge in Larimer County, CO, said Wednesday that he will make a decision in the next 30 days following oral arguments in a court case challenging a sixth Colorado city’s attempt to hold a referendum on a moratorium on oil/natural gas drilling, including hydraulic fracturing, within city limits.
Colorado City Considering Five-Year Fracking Ban
The seven-member city council in Fort Collins, CO, on Tuesday will decide how to handle a proposed five-year hydraulic fracturing (fracking) moratorium in the city — either through passage of an ordinance or letting local voters decide in a November ballot measure.
Michigan Chamber Attempting to Stem Anti-Fracking Movement
The Michigan Chamber of Commerce on Monday launched a campaign to educate voters about the state’s oil and natural gas business in an attempt to prevent any municipal or legislative bans on unconventional drilling.
Economist Backs Arkansas Severance Tax Hike
Former natural gas industry executive Sheffield Nelson has enlisted the aid of economist Charles Venus in his campaign to raise the severance tax that Arkansas levies on natural gas production. Raising the tax to 7% would mean an additional $155 million per year for state coffers, the equivalent of less than a day and a half of profits for ExxonMobil, Venus said recently.
Gas Bills Stall at Arkansas House Committee
A series of bills that would affect the regulation of natural gas drilling and hydraulic fracturing (hydrofracking) operations in Arkansas failed to clear a hurdle in the state’s House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development Thursday and appeared unlikely to move to the full House during the current legislative session.