Losers Blame College Voters for Denton Fracking Ban

[Harry]

Did college students tilt the outcome of Denton’s vote to ban hydraulic fracturing?

That question has stirred debate since the city – home to the University of North Texas and Texas Woman's University – became the first in Texas to ban the oilfield technique that sparked a drilling boom and spawned tension in some urban areas.

Overall, the vote wasn’t close. Nearly 59 percent of voters supported the ban, even though its opponents – buoyed by contributions from energy companies – spent far more money. That margin, the ban’s supporters say, amounted to a mandate.

But ban opponents (meaning supporters of fracking) argue that college students disproportionately affected the vote, effectively drowning out Denton’s permanent residents – particularly those living alongside natural gas wells.

“The election returns clearly show the permanent residents of Denton favor property owner rights, economic benefits from responsible drilling and American energy independence while our city’s college students did not," Bobby Jones, treasurer of anti-ban group Denton Taxpayers for a Strong Economy, said three days after the election.

The ban's supporters reject that narrative.

Read more: The Gilmer Mirror - Losers Blame College Voters for Denton Fracking Ban

[ChristopherRyanWilkes]

If so, it would be a drastic change from how it has been for years in Denton. If college students do start registering in Denton county and voting there, there would be a lot of drastic changes in the political landscape.

[gksmith]

I thought there were residency restrictions on voter registration. If you are from out of state you have to live in Texas for so long before you are eligible to vote. If you live in Texas and moved (like all of the in-state students) you can change your voter registration to reflect the move.

As for the political topic itself I am glad fracking is banned. When we have an area like here that for my lifetime has NEVER had earthquakes and then fracking starts and now places like Cleburne and (more recently) North Dallas are having earthquakes, I have a hard time of someone convincing me that A does not cause B. This week - 5 earthquakes in 2 days in North Dallas. Granted these aren't mega 6. or 7. devastating earthquakes but still Texas is not equipped to handle a lot of shaking.

If I wanted to live with earthquakes I would live in California.

[Harry]

I too wonder about why all of sudden we are having all these earthquakes.

[GreenMachine]

I too wonder about why all of sudden we are having all these earthquakes.

There are divided tectonic plates that run through Texas. Earthquakes in Texas have been predicted long before fraking started. Edited November 27, 2014 by GreenMachine

[UNT90]

Bad losers, plain and simple.

I doubt 2k college students voted on this. I'd be surprised if 1k college kids voted in Denton, quite frankly.

[GTWT]

There are divided tectonic plates that run through Texas. Earthquakes in Texas have been predicted long before fraking started.

I'm not sure what 'divided tectonic plates' you're referring to. Denton is a long ways from the nearest margin of a tectonic plate.

The geology of north-central Texas has been fairly stable for a long time with very few & very minor earthquakes. The 'quakes under discussion are post-fracking..