An oil company has sued to block San Benito County’s voter-approved fracking ban in a move that could affect the growing trend of California cities and counties’ efforts to stop the controversial oil drilling practice of hydraulic fracturing.
In the lawsuit, Citadel Exploration, based in Newport Beach, is attempting to overturn Measure J, approved by 59 percent of San Benito County voters four months ago.
If the company is successful, the lawsuit could impact other places where local officials are discussing bans, and where activists are considering ballot measures in 2016, including Santa Clara, Alameda, Monterey and Butte counties, along with Santa Cruz County, whose board of supervisors approved a countywide ban on fracking last spring.
Measure J supporters say they are frustrated that Gov. Jerry Brown and state lawmakers haven’t banned fracking, a technique in which water and chemicals are pumped underground to release oil and gas — so they decided to go around them.
But in its lawsuit filed in San Benito County Superior Court, Citadel said local governments don’t have the authority to impose bans.