*ahem*

[JDPriestly]

20. But, Los Angeles is leading the way toward banning fracking.

A Los Angeles City Council committee took a first step Tuesday toward banning hydraulic fracturing and other disputed practices tied to oil extraction, winning cheers and applause from a packed auditorium.

"Fracking and other unconventional drilling is happening here in Los Angeles, and without the oversight and review to keep our neighborhoods safe," Councilman Mike Bonin told the Planning and Land Use Management Committee.

. . . .

The council is slated to vote Friday to draft new rules that would prohibit hydraulic fracturing and other forms of “well stimulation” in Los Angeles until the council is sure they are safe. City planners were unable to say Tuesday how many drilling sites in Los Angeles might be affected.

Hydraulic fracturing, often referred to as fracking, is a practice of injecting water mixed with chemicals to fracture underground rock, releasing pockets of oil or natural gas.

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-los-angeles-fracking-ban-20140225,0,3908061.story?track=rss

Let's hope that LA is setting a new trend.