La Habra Heights Residents Win Again In Court Battle Over Fracking Ballot Initiative | WPN World People News

The Los Angeles Superior Court again Wednesday rejected inaccurate and misleading language in a La Habra Heights fracking ballot initiative up for vote in March. The ruling provides community members with accurate information so they can fairly vote on “The Healthy City Initiative,” which would ban new oil and gas development, including high-intensity practices like fracking and acid well stimulation that have been linked to serious health and environmental impacts.
This court ruling comes as a result of a lawsuit filed by Earthjustice on behalf of residents, La Habra Heights Oil Watch, and the Center for Biological Diversity. During the case, the group pushed back on multiple attempts from the oil and gas industry to change the language in the ballot initiative, otherwise known as Measure A, to the point where it would mislead voters as to its true purpose and intent.

A sign hangs by an oil field in California, warning of hazardous fumes.

Earthjustice attorney Irene Gutierrez: “Once again the court has agreed with the citizens of La Habra Heights, and has ordered that the ballot language needs to be accurate and impartial. This win supports citizens’ right to a fair elections process.”

Center for Biological Diversity attorney Hollin Kretzmann: “California communities have the power to ban fracking and other oil and gas activities and protect their air, water, and health. This legal victory ensures that La Habra Heights voters will have accurate information when they make their decision this March.”

La Habra Heights Oil Watch spokeswoman Kathy Steele: “This ruling is once again a victory for residents that want to preserve the green and peaceful community we love. We organized residents together to support the Healthy City Initiative, so that we can stop new invasive drilling developments from destroying it.”

Source: Earthjustice