Hydraulic fracturing or fracking is an unconventional method of drilling for oil and natural gas using both vertical and horizontal drilling. At the beginning of the twenty first century, when this technology was adopted, little was known about its environmental impacts. The lack of knowledge coupled with lobbying by oil and gas industry, led to the development of weak federal and state regulations on fracking.

   Many communities located close to fracking sites have opposed this activity. Hence, a study was undertaken to investigate the research question, why do urban communities located at close proximity to fracking sites oppose fracking in an oil and gas producing state? To answer the question, a case study approach was undertaken. The case of the City of Denton, Texas was selected. It was the first city in Texas to pass a short lived ban on fracking, which was later reversed by the state. To understand the various events that led to a short lived policy change in the city, the Advocacy Coalition Approach of Sabatier (1993) was adopted in the study.

  The research topic of this paper is in conformity with the theme of the conference. The utility of this study lies in the following facts. First, the city’s ban on fracking draws attention to the serious environmental consequences of the technology. Second, the state’s passage of the House Bill 40, which led to reversal of the ban under pressure from oil and gas industry, brings to focus the influence of the oil and gas industry on state regulations. Third, the local policy change and consequent state action, convey the need to revisit regulations on fracking and make necessary changes to offer more protection to those people who live in communities located close to fracking sites.