In defense of fracking

Anti-fracking groups like to think they’re campaigning against Big Oil, but they’re really attacking millions of property owners across Texas. (See July 9 commentary, “Oil and gas industry may one day reap a fracking whirlwind.”)

The fracking ban in Denton was not a victory for democracy. It stripped Texans of their constitutionally protected rights to develop energy on their own property.

Any government — be it federal, state, or local — that takes rights away is the very definition of Big Government. Texas lawmakers deserve credit for standing up against that with House Bill 40, which protects taxpayers and property owners from the kind of illegal, costly, activist-driven bans that Denton is still paying for.

Don’t be fooled by their rhetoric on “local control.” Frack Free Denton wants to expand its campaign statewide to tell all Texans what they can and cannot do with their own land.

Cities in Texas haven’t been fooled thus far, and many have actually spoken in favor of HB 40. Speaking for those of us who still cherish individual rights, let’s hope it stays that way.

— Tricia Davis, president, Texas Royalty Council, Austin

Anti-fracking groups argue that drilling bans are just about “local control.” But for local taxpayers, these bans are something different: expensive.

To date, natural gas development in Denton has generated “$1 billion in mineral wealth and pumped more than $30 million into city bank accounts,” according to The Associated Press.

Other Texas cities have similarly benefited from oil and gas development. But fracking bans and other drilling restrictions prevent cities from reaping those benefits, leaving budgetary holes and less revenue for schools, hospitals and other public services.

An analysis last year estimated that Denton’s fracking ban could have cost the city $8 million per year in lost royalties. That’s in addition to the $220,000 that Denton has paid so far in legal fees to defend the unlawful ban, which the city finally repealed last month.

Anti-fracking groups that promised to help the city of Denton defend the ban are now trying to exit the lawsuits, leaving Denton residents on the hook for those costs.

That’s not “restoring community rights.” It’s putting city budgets at risk to advance an anti-fracking agenda that’s dangerous for Texas

— Ed Ireland, North Richland Hills

Texas cities should take note of Frack Free Denton’s broken promises.

They labeled as liars people who worried that a fracking ban would be expensive. The ban has cost the city $220,000 in legal fees alone, far more than what the activists promised ($38,000 to $125,000). The city has also spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to defend its anti-drilling ordinances, which members of Frack Free Denton helped craft.

They promised to defend Denton’s ban against legal challenges. But the activists recently requested to be removed from the lawsuits because they don’t want to pay attorney fees. They’re offloading costs onto taxpayers after assuring those same taxpayers, “Don’t worry. We’ll pay for it.”

Frack Free Denton’s president said in November that “the ban was not about what’s right for other places.” Cathy McMullen, another Frack Free Denton campaigner, exclaimed: “If you want fracking in your community, fine! Keep it.” But now they want a statewide campaign?

Denton’s mayor recently said, “There has not been a stampede of communities beating my door down or blowing my phone up” asking to stand with the city and its ban. Given the costs and broken promises, Texas cities would be wise to continue saying “no thanks.”

— Steve Everley, North Texans for Natural Gas, Dallas

This story was originally published July 16, 2015 at 5:28 PM with the headline "In defense of fracking."