Measures

A local ballot measure in Coos County, OR, intended to block a long-proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) project was rejected on Tuesday by voters amidst heavy spending by project backers and concerns that the “sustainable energy” measure was unconstitutional. More than 75% of the votes cast were against the proposal.

Although it has little oil/natural gas activity, voters in California’s central coast Monterey County approved a ballot measure banning new oil/gas development in the county, including the use of well stimulation techniques such as hydraulic fracturing (fracking).

An oil/natural gas industry-backed measure to make it more difficult to amend Colorado’s state constitution has qualified for the November ballot, the Colorado secretary of state’s office said.

Two oil/natural gas ballot measures in Colorado that are strongly opposed by the industry were submitted to state officials for signature verification on Monday, the state imposed deadline for submittal.

Colorado officials have cleared supporters of four anti-oil and natural gas initiatives to secure signatures that may qualify them for the November ballot.

Colorado officials have cleared supporters of four anti-oil and natural gas initiatives to secure signatures that may qualify them for the November ballot.

While a citizens’ group fighting increased oil/natural gas development dropped several potential statewide ballot measures in Colorado this month, three initiatives aimed at more local control over oil/gas activity (Nos. 63, 75 and 78) are still alive to the discomfort of business development and industry supporters.

Texas state Rep. Phil King (R-Weatherford) has introduced two bills for the upcoming legislative session that target potential future anti-drilling/hydraulic fracturing (fracking) actions in the Lone Star State, such as what happened in the Barnett Shale town of Denton earlier this year.

California’s Santa Barbara County has an initiative (Measure P) on the November ballot aimed at restricting, if not banning, most enhanced drilling practices. A new statewide law (SB 4) sets rules, reporting and permitting requirements for what is designated as “well stimulation” drilling, which includes hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and various acidization processes.