The Denton City Council on Tuesday voted to impose a temporary ban on hydraulic fracturing until September.
But fracking opponents want to make that permanent through an ordinance that would prohibit the practice in Denton. They’ve submitted a petition that seeks a total ban.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports:
The Denton Drilling Awareness Group … said Wednesday morning that it turned in at least 1,871 signatures in support of the petition. It needs a little less than 600 valid signatures to force a public hearing and council vote. The city has 20 days to verify the signatures and then 60 days to hold the hearing and vote on the proposal.
Much of North Texas sits on top of the Barnett Shale, believed to hold one of the largest natural gas reserves in the U.S.
Denton could become the first place in Texas to ban hydraulic fracturing.
The fracking process involves blasting a mix of water, sand and chemicals into deep rock formations to free oil and gas. The process has led to major economic benefits but also to fears that the chemicals could spread to water supplies and worsen air quality.
Learn more from StateImpact Texas.
The Denton Record-Chronicle has more details.
Learn more about the Denton fracking issue from The Texas Tribune.
