Activists Want To Reinstate Longmont's Fracking Ban

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DENVER (AP) — Activists are trying to reinstate Longmont's ban on hydraulic fracturing now that a new state law gives local governments more authority over the oil and gas industry. Groups called Colorado Rising and Our Longmont said Wednesday they will ask a state court to allow Longmont to enforce the ban, which was approved by voters in 2012 but overturned by the state Supreme Court in 2016.

Fracking (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

The court said only the state could regulate the industry under laws in force at the time. The new law, passed this year, lets local governments impose some rules to protect public health and the environment and limit the location of new wells.

Longmont officials and an oil and gas industry group had no immediate comment but planned to release statements later.

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