Bartonville Imposes Gas Drilling Moratorium

Leaders of a North Texas town have imposed a 90-day moratorium on new permits for natural gas drilling and hydraulic fracturing.

The Denton Record-Chronicle reported Friday that the Bartonville Town Council also agreed to form a seven-member advisory board on gas drilling and production.

Mayor Ron Robertson says the moratorium, passed Wednesday night, is a "cooling off period" as town leaders continue studying potential new regulations.

Robertson says council members are concerned about chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. The practice involves pumping water, sand and chemicals underground to break up rock and free gas.

Robertson says the town of about 1,600, located 30 miles northwest of Dallas, needs a better grasp on what to allow.

At least one operator is currently fracking a well in Bartonville.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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