Haliburton began developing the technology of hydraulic fracturing in the suburbs of Texas during the mid-1990's. Denton, Texas was one of the first towns to experience this practice. |
Denton, Texas was one of the first counties in the US to experience fracking. After nearly two decades of fracking throughout the community, citizens are vigorously pursuing a ban on further drilling.
Description:
Basic Data
| Name of conflict: | Historic Fracking Ban Passes in Heart of “Frack Country”, USA |
| Country: | United States of America |
| State or province: | Texas |
| Location of conflict: | Denton |
| Accuracy of location | HIGH (Local level) |
Source of Conflict
| Type of conflict. 1st level: | Fossil Fuels and Climate Justice/Energy |
| Type of conflict. 2nd level: | Shale gas fracking |
| Specific commodities: | Natural Gas |
Project Details and Actors
| Project details | There are over 250 fracking wells within the city limits. |
| Type of population | Semi-urban |
| Affected Population: | 123,000 |
| Company names or state enterprises: | Halliburton from United States of America Texas Oil and Gas Association (TXOGA) from United States of America - Suing the town of Denton |
| Relevant government actors: | Denton County 16th District Court Texas General Land Office |
| Environmental justice organizations (and other supporters) and their websites, if available: | Frack Free Denton Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Series (TEJAS) |
Conflict & Mobilization
| Intensity | MEDIUM (street protests, visible mobilization) |
| Reaction stage | Unknown |
| Groups mobilizing: | Local ejos Local government/political parties Neighbours/citizens/communities Local scientists/professionals |
| Forms of mobilization: | Lawsuits, court cases, judicial activism Referendum other local consultations Street protest/marches |
Impacts
| Environmental Impacts | Visible: Air pollution, Biodiversity loss (wildlife, agro-diversity), Global warming, Noise pollution, Groundwater pollution or depletion |
| Health Impacts | Visible: Accidents, Exposure to unknown or uncertain complex risks (radiation, etc…) |
| Other Health impacts | Neurotoxin exposure, blindness, skin disease. |
| Socio-economical Impacts | Visible: Loss of livelihood, Loss of landscape/sense of place |
Outcome
| Conflict outcome / response: | Court decision (failure for environmental justice) Court decision (undecided) New legislation a ban that was later overturned |
| Proposal and development of alternatives: | The ban is currently being defended in court. State and national legislatures are receiving petitions to protect the ban. |
| Do you consider this an environmental justice success? Was environmental justice served?: | Not Sure |
| Briefly explain: | Whether or not the ban will be overturned will depend on the upcoming court ruling. |
Sources & Materials
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| Related media links to videos, campaigns, social network |
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Meta information
| Contributor: | Eleanor Finley, University of Massachusetts, Amherst. |
| Last update | 18/08/2019 |
| Conflict ID: | 1814 |
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