The mayor of Denton says he's expecting legal challenges if the North Texas city bans fracking in a closely-watched vote.
Chris Watts says that Tuesday's vote "is not the end of the story. It may just be the beginning."
The proposed ordinance coming up for a referendum would prohibit hydraulic fracturing, which pumps water, sand and chemicals underground to release otherwise-unreachable reserves of oil and gas.
Opponents complain the practice may increase earthquakes and that the resulting waste fluid can cause environmental damage.
Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson has already said he is prepared to sue if the referendum passes. A former chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court now working for a top oil industry organization also says the ordinance is illegal.
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Information from: Fort Worth Star-Telegram, http://www.star-telegram.com
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