Denton could become 1st Texas city to ban fracking

DENTON, Texas (AP) — A North Texas community that sits on a large natural gas reserve could become the first city in the state to ban hydraulic fracturing, with city leaders in Denton set to vote late Tuesday on a citizen-led petition to outlaw new permits for the drilling method.

The process, also called fracking, has led to major economic benefits but also to fears that the chemicals could spread to water supplies, worsen air quality and even cause small earthquakes.