Arlington Mayor Jim Ross has also voiced concerns
ARLINGTON, Texas — Community leader and activist Ranjana Bhandari is raising concerns about a proposal to expand fracking operations in East Arlington.
“The pollution from fracking— the fumes, the noise, the lights, the traffic— it’s a lot,” said Bhandari.
Bhandari, who founded the grassroots organization Livable Arlington, is working to persuade the Arlington City Council to vote against the proposal for more fracking in the area.
Livable Arlington recently shared a thermal imaging study they say shows the harmful effects of fracking. Bhandari is also speaking out about what she believes are health issues linked to pollutants from fracking operations.
“The pollution is linked to high rates of asthma, childhood leukemia, birth defects, and maternal health problems during pregnancy,” Bhandari said. “One in four children in Tarrant County have asthma. The EPA reports that the air toxic cancer risk in this neighborhood is in the 90th percentile nationally. Given the clear connection between fracking emissions and higher rates of childhood leukemia, lymphomas, and other diseases, this is a matter of urgent concern— especially for children.”
Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a method used to extract oil and natural gas from deep underground.
The company Total Energies is seeking approval for 10 new fracking drills in East Arlington. They already operate five near The Mother’s Heart Childcare Learning Center, which is managed by Wanda Vincent.
Vincent, who oversees the daycare, says both she and the children have experienced the negative effects of nearby fracking on two separate occasions.
“We could smell the fumes from the tanks, and it made us nauseous and gave us headaches. We just didn’t feel well,” said Vincent.
Arlington Mayor Jim Ross has also expressed concerns about the risks, especially for children.
“I’m always concerned about kids getting sick,” said Ross. “But despite some claims, we don’t have any direct evidence linking air contamination to illnesses in the children. That said, we are worried about fracking being so close to a daycare.”
Mayor Ross explained why the proposal for more fracking is coming up again.
“The original permit for a site closer to the daycare was denied several years ago, and that’s why Total Energies is now requesting approval for this new location,” he said.
In response to concerns, Total Energies released a statement detailing the safety measures they plan to implement at the proposed drilling site.
“The safety and well-being of the community are our top priorities. TotalEnergies E&P Barnett is committed to following the highest standards of environmental protection and safety, in line with both the City of Arlington and State of Texas regulations,” the statement read. “The proposed site is located more than 1,000 feet from the closest daycare, over 800 feet from the nearest resident, and over 2,000 feet from three nearby elementary schools, which exceeds the city’s 600-foot setback requirement. We will also implement advanced monitoring systems, noise reduction strategies, air quality controls, leak detection, and emission reduction measures to minimize potential disruptions and risks.”
Despite these assurances, many local residents have expressed their opposition to the proposal, with some putting up yard signs and signing up to speak at the upcoming city council meeting. Bhandari is among those planning to voice her concerns.
“I want the city to make a fair, science-based decision,” she said. “They have the power to do that.”
The Arlington City Council is expected to vote on the proposed expansion after Tuesday’s meeting, following the first reading of the request by Total Energies.