Environment & Climate
Is fracking in Texas endangering a day care’ s children
?
After years of opposition, a new drill site near where children learn and play has resurfaced a community ' s fears about the dangers it poses.
When landmen arrived to secure land for mineral ownership and drilling rights from Arlington residents in 2005, Ranjana Bhandari was approached and ultimately declined.( NITASHIA JOHNSON FOR THE 19TH)
Lauren Nutall Reporting fellow
Published April 6, 2026, 6:00 a. m. ET Source https:// 19thnews. org / 2026 / 04 / fracking‐arlington‐texas‐community‐families‐day‐care
ARLINGTON, TEXAS— In early December, drilling resumed near Mother’ s Heart Learning Center.
Newly installed gas wells dot property at 20200 S. Watson Road, less than one mile from the day care. One day in December, the sound of fracking machinery was so cacophonous that children couldn’ t play outdoors.
For gas companies and stakeholders, the project is poised to be an economic windfall. But many Arlingtonn residents and experts say it could come at the expense of the community
— especially its children. In January 2025, the Arlington City
Council unanimously approved a permit allowing French oil and gas company TotalEnergies to install 10 new gas wells in East Arlingtonn, which has a heavy concentration of Black and Latinx residents. It marked the first time in over a decade that the city council approved a permit for a new drill site after years of community opposition.