Denton became the first Texas city to ban hydraulic fracturing Tuesday after a citizen-driven proposition cruised to a landslide victory at the polls.
The election garnered national attention, and the ban is likely to set off a long legal fight.
“The City Council is committed to defending the ordinance and will exercise the legal remedies that are available to us should the ordinance be challenged,” Mayor Chris Watts said in a written statement.
Opponents in Denton say fracking pollutes air and drinking water, and the disposal of the vast amounts of water produced by the drilling process could cause earthquakes.
Industry groups counter that it’s cleaner than other forms of energy extraction and can be done safely.
The campaign was the most expensive by far in Denton’s history.
Denton Taxpayers for a Strong Economy, the leading group opposing the ban, had raised almost $700,000 since July, almost all of which came from energy companies including Chevron, XTO Energy and Chesapeake Energy.
The group Frack Free Denton, in contrast, had raised about $75,000 since July.
Resident Cathy McMullen, who helped spearhead the drive to ban fracking, said more than 50 volunteers greeted voters at every Denton polling location Tuesday despite the cool, rainy weather.
“Everybody who worked on this believed in it with their whole heart,” she said.
Representatives for Denton Taxpayers could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.
Ed Longanecker, president of the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association, said the outcome was unfortunate but ultimately will be decided by the courts.
“At risk are not only our constitutional rights, but also the loss of high-paying jobs, much needed tax revenue, access to low-cost electricity and further exploitation by activist groups seeking to advance their anti-oil and gas ideology,” he said in an email.
