Anti-frackers win

Butte County Superior Court Judge Robert Glusman decided in favor of local anti-frackers Wednesday (July 23), when he ruled that a ballot initiative intended to ban the controversial oil and gas extraction practice in Butte County is legal.

Promoters had gathered enough signatures to qualify the initiative for the November election, but a Sacramento law firm representing a local land owner (as well as the oil industry) challenged it on the grounds that its wording’s font was too small, certain sections were bolded to mislead the signer, and that it went against the county general plan’s land use section that calls for the promotion of oil and gas extraction.

Much to the delight of the packed courtroom, Glusman ordered that the county clerk accept and process the initiative. Sean Welch, the attorney challenging the initiative, said it was too early to say if the judge’s ruling would be challenged.