In the Gainesville Sun today, Jan. 6, 2016, April Warren wrote a short piece about the county commissioners who have directed their attorney to draft an ordinance that would ban fracking. Following is the article, but it should be pointed out that the growing number of cities and counties opposing fracking has now reached 39 and 25 respectively. Also it should be noted that the Florida Association of Counties recently unanimously passed a resolution opposing the bills in Tallahassee which preempt local governing bodies from controlling fracking in their jurisdictions.
“County asks attorney for fracking ordinance”
The Alachua County Commission has directed the county attorney to draft an ordinance that would ban fracking.
If the ordinance passes in the future, the county would join a growing number of Florida counties passing such legislation, in the face of state legislative bills, including House Bill 191 and Senate Bill 318, that would put regulations in place for fracking in Florida.
Commissioner Ken Cornell pushed for the move.
“I don’t believe Florida should be an oil and gas state,” Cornel said. “We are a tourism and agriculture state.”
Commissioner Mike Byerly said if a group were to come in and challenge the county’s ordinance in the future, he would not support spending any public money to defend the ordinance.
As it stands now, fracking in Alachua County would require a special use permit, according to county attorney Michele Lieberman.
According to published reports, about 20 Florida counties and another 40 cities have created anti-fracking ordinances, although legislation has been filed that would give the state power to regulate fracking.
