Parent holding toddler's hand as they cross the street.

Texas city approves new fracking site near daycare and schools

A city council in Arlington, Texas, has approved plans for TotalEnergies to drill 10 new gas wells near a daycare center and elementary schools, despite opposition from residents concerned about air pollution and public health.

Dylan Baddour reports for Inside Climate News.


In short:

  • Arlington approved a new fracking site for the first time in 12 years, allowing TotalEnergies to drill 10 wells near homes and schools.
  • Residents voiced concerns over pollution and health risks, but the council passed the measure unanimously, citing state laws limiting local authority.
  • Emissions from fracking sites in the area have been documented, including hydrocarbons and particulates near schools and daycares.

Key quote:

“There’s emissions that are going to come out of every site. They may have them relatively controlled, but they have permission to emit.”

— Tim Doty, pollution monitoring contractor

Why this matters:

The expansion of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, has long been a point of contention in communities where oil and gas development sits uncomfortably close to homes, schools and daycares. In Arlington, Texas, where a dense population lives near active wells, the risks feel particularly acute. Scientific studies have linked pollutants released during fracking — such as benzene, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds — to respiratory issues, developmental delays and other health concerns, raising alarms about the potential impact on children.

Read more from EHN: "No evidence" that fracking can be done without threatening human health: Report

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