Denton city council extends fracking moratorium

DENTON, Texas – It's been about two months since the Denton City Council agreed to let voters decide whether to ban fracking.

At that time, a moratorium on new drilling permits was in place — a moratorium that was scheduled to expire on Tuesday.

But on Tuesday night, Council members voted to extend that policy until January 20. If voters decide to ban fracking inside city limits in the November 4 election, the law goes on the books January 21.

Right now, residents and out-of-towners on both sides of the issue are rallying for support ahead of the vote.

Denton sits right on the edge of the Barnett Shale, which a new economic study says accounts for $11.8 billion in business activity and tax receipts, and is responsible for more than 107,000 permanent jobs.

Denton would be the first city in Texas to ban fracking if voters make that decision.