Denton could become 1st Texas city to ban fracking (update Denton voters will decide on fracking ban [View all]

[Omaha Steve]

Last edited Wed Jul 16, 2014, 06:35 AM - Edit history (1)

Source: AP-Excite

By EMILY SCHMALL

DENTON, Texas (AP) — A North Texas community that sits on a large natural gas reserve could become the first city in the state to ban hydraulic fracturing, with city leaders in Denton set to vote Tuesday night on a citizen-led petition.

Industry groups and state regulators warn that such a ban could be followed by litigation and a severe hit to the city economy. The Denton City Council is holding a public hearing Tuesday night, with a vote to follow.

If the council rejections the petition, it would likely still go to Denton's voters in November.

Under the proposed ban, operators would be allowed to continue extracting energy from the 275 wells in Denton that have already undergone hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, but not reinitiate the process on old wells.

FULL story at link. UPDATE below.


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20140715/us--gas_town_revolt-3b7cbcef34.html

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http://www.myfoxdfw.com/story/26020394/denton-to-vote-on-fracking-ban



Posted: Jul 15, 2014 7:15 AM CDT
Updated: Jul 16, 2014 5:09 AM CDT

DENTON, Texas - Voters will decide if Denton will become the first city in Texas to ban the controversial practice of fracking for oil and natural gas.

Just before 3 o'clock Wednesday morning, the Denton City Council voted 5-2 against a bid to ban future of fracking in the city. The proposal will now go before voters in November.

Fracking involves injecting water and chemicals into the ground to force out the natural gas. There are currently close to 300 drilling sites in the city of Denton, and many of them use fracking as part of the drilling process.

But, those who oppose it are concerned about what they say is the environmental damage it causes, especially air pollution. Some people who live near drilling sites also blame fracking for health problems.

FULL story at link.


First city in Texas to kill the fracking sacred cow???