The Oklahoma House has approved legislation prohibiting cities and towns from regulating oil and natural gas drilling operations.
The House voted 64-32 for the bill by Republican House Speaker Jeff Hickman of Fairview and sent it to the Senate to consider House amendments. One amendment allows local laws to reduce flooding risks in order to comply with National Flood Insurance Program rules.
The drilling is regulated by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. The bill bans communities from regulating oil and gas exploration, drilling, fracturing and production but permits local laws involving road use, traffic, noise and fencing.
The Oklahoma Geological Survey has said it's "very likely" that recent earthquakes in the state were triggered by oil and gas wastewater disposal wells.
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