Total Energies has applied to drill and hydraulic fracture gas wells at the Fulson site in a residential neighborhood in E. Arlington. This brings Total’s new well count to almost 40 in the last 2 years, a very significant increase in Arlington’s gas well count.

Drilling and fracking operations emit fine particles, including soot from diesel exhaust; volatile organic compounds including benzene and formaldehyde; and nitrogen oxides that combine to create ground-level ozone (smog). The Dallas Fort Worth region has not been in compliance with federal ozone or smog standards for decades. Tarrant County has once again received an F grade from the American Lung Association for ozone this year.

Higher ozone levels are associated with diminished lung function, increased hospital admissions and emergency room visits for asthma, and increases in premature deaths, and higher mortality from lung and heart disease.

Studies have shown the dangerous chemicals that escape during the fracking process pose health risks for those exposed: especially children, pregnant women, the fetus, the elderly, and the sick. Elevated levels of fine particle emissions from fracking well pads have been measured at distances of more than four miles.

Exposure to the pollutants from fracking operations contribute to higher rates of asthma, poor birth outcomes including preterm births and low birth weight, increased rates of hospitalization from asthma and cardiac disease, and premature death. A Yale research team has also demonstrated that carcinogens involved in fracking operations have the potential to contaminate both air and water in nearby communities in ways that may increase the risk of childhood leukemia.

We can’t risk exposing our community to more toxic pollutants. Tarrant County already has one of the highest rates of childhood asthma in the nation and the highest rate of birth defects in Texas. As well density increases in an area, many of these health issues are further exacerbated.

Property damage and various neighborhood incidents have also been reported from nearby fracking. When Total was fracking at the Rocking Horse site, many neighboring homes reported foundation and other structural damage to their homes.

At Total’s Home Run site in Ft. Worth, a very serious incident led to the entire neighborhood being sprayed with “produced water, vegetation dying, and worse. More details about this scary incident can be found here. Residents living near Total's Mt. Tabor drill site in East Fort Worth experienced damage to their homes' foundations, loud noises at all hours disrupting sleep, and an incident where the drill site released black smoke and toxic fumes.

Such dangerous toxic processes do not belong in Arlington backyards.

We ask that Arlington prioritize the health and safety of our community by denying this special use permit. With a NO vote you can protect Arlington families from the health risks associated with increased gas well drilling and fracking. We strongly urge you to vote NO.

Thank you for your consideration.