Fracking Bill Gets Tentative OK from Texas House

A bill that would override local fracking bans in Texas was approved by members of the House, after several hours of debate.

The bill is aimed at blocking cities from banning activities like hydraulic fracturing. Last year, voters in the city of Denton approved a ban on fracking in their city limits.

State Rep. Drew Darby, a Republican from San Angelo and the bill's author, says it’s intended to preserve the state government’s right to regulate oil and gas activity.

"This state depends upon the oil and gas industry. Forty percent of our economy is based upon the oil and gas industry and we need to protect that," Rep. Darby said.

Read more: http://kut.org/post/fracking-bill-gets-tentative-ok-texas-house