Question 1

What is fracking / gas drilling?

Accepted Answer

Hydraulic Fracturing or “Fracking” is a destructive form of unconventional drilling used to access difficult to reach oil & gas reserves in the bedrock. Companies inject millions of gallons of pressurized water, sand, and an undisclosed assortment of mostly very toxic chemicals into the bedrock and use explosives, fracturing the ground to bring methane gas to the surface. See a visual explanation.

Fracking requires polluting and dangerous infrastructure, including pipelines and compressor stations, and wastewater injection wells.

Question 2

Is there a drilling site near me? Is there one coming?

Accepted Answer

Arlington has been going through a fracking boom for the last 3 years to export LNG to Europe. There are about 52 existing drill sites in Arlington with nearly 400 gas wells. Over 30,000 students go to public school and nearly 7,000 young children go to private preschools and daycares within ½ mile of a gas drilling site.

Total Energies continues to receive permits from the Texas Railroad Commission seeking to drill more new gas wells in Arlington. You can track new gas wells here.

In Tarrant County, one million people live within ½ mile of a gas well and drilling is expanding. Use the Oil & Gas Threat Map to see gas wells near your home or school.

Question 3

What is it like to live near a drilling site?

Accepted Answer

Intense noise and light pollution, dangerous truck traffic, noxious odors, and toxic emissions occur over several months from drilling, fracking, flowback, and hauling materials, and then round the clock gas extraction.

Property damage: Homeowners near drill sites suffer property damage, including expensive damage to their foundations.  Learn more here. Often quality of life and ability to enjoy one's property is harmed due to noise, pollution, and recurring well stimulation, and new gas wells being added.

Question 4

What are the health implications for children and pregnant women?

Accepted Answer

Dangerous chemicals released from fracking worsen air quality, may shorten life spans, and pose health risks for those exposed: especially children, pregnant women, fetuses, the elderly, and the sick. On our Resources page you can find a full breakdown of health impacts.

Fracking-related chemicals associated with cancer and reproductive harms such as benzene have been found in the bodies of residents living near wells.

Infants & fetuses: Gas well drilling is associated with increases in preterm births, low birth weight, and congenital heart disease. Learn more.

Children: Increased childhood asthma rates and odds of hospitalizations for asthma. The carcinogens involved in fracking may increase risk of childhood leukemia.

Question 5

What are the health implications for adults?

Accepted Answer

Residents 65+ living close to wells are at higher risk from dying earlier than those living in areas without fracking.

Respiratory problems, including increased hospitalizations and higher rates of asthma, COPD, and other respiratory diseases.

Cardiovascular problems, including being linked to higher heart attack risk, higher rates of cardiovascular diseases, and high blood pressure.

Brain and nervous system problems, including headaches, lightheadedness, and disorientation.

Damage to red blood cells and bone marrow leading to anemia and immunological problems.

Cancer and premature mortality, stroke.

Question 6

How does fracking impact the climate?

Accepted Answer

"Natural" gas, which is methane,  is a key contributor to the climate crisis. There is no such thing as "clean" natural gas.

Methane gas, which is 86 times more potent than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas, is responsible for 40% of global warming. Methane emissions and leaks from gas infrastructure occurs at all stages of the supply chain, from the wellhead, to pipelines and compressor stations, and during transportation. Oil & gas operations release far more methane than they report.

Question 7

What are the impacts on air and water quality?

Accepted Answer

Drilling and gas wells are damaging to air quality in significant ways by releasing benzene, nitrogen dioxide,  and other volatile organic air pollutants; chemicals that create ground-level smog (ozone); and fine particles from diesel exhaust.

Drilling worsens water quality: The carcinogen benzene and other toxic fracking-related chemicals contaminated drinking water aquifers on the Barnett Shale, with water quality worsening the closer sources are to drilling.

Drilling a single well can waste up to 16 million gallons of water, and fracking uses up scarce water resources in the drought-prone Permian Basin in Texas and New Mexico.

Question 8

What can I do to help?

Accepted Answer

✔ Be eyes and ears on pollution:

Report problems to us with gas wells in your neighborhood or near your children’s school 
If you see something, take a picture or video and send it to us. 
If you smell something, hear something or feel ill, write it down and send it to us.
Report issues by email to the state environmental agency, the TCEQ, and copy Liveable Arlington: liveablearlington@gmail.com.

✔ Sign up for updates from Liveable Arlington. Join our email list.

✔ Share actions, gas well updates, or this resource guide with your networks.

✔ Invite us to speak at a group you’re a part of (church group, neighbors, other parents at your school, etc) and help them learn about gas drilling. Simply email: liveablearlington@gmail.com.

✔ Email your council member about your concerns (make sure to copy liveablearlington@gmail.com).

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