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Arlington To Allow More Gas Drilling

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ARLINGTON (CBSDFW.COM) - Arlington has allowed plans to go forward for more natural gas drilling despite two recent small earthquakes in the area. It's not welcome news to some homeowners who are worried new drilling would put their homes in danger.

"I have a young child. Yes, I'm definitely concerned about issues like that. But I think it's for all of our children in Arlington. This is something we need to look into carefully," said resident Ranjana Bhandari.

Her fears are understandable given that state records show the epicenters of the two small earthquakes happened in areas with homes, businesses and schools. Both proposed drilling areas are in the Cooper St. corridor between well sites.

"That's troubling because I know these earthquakes can get worse over time," said Bhandari.

The gas company that wants to drill, EnerVest Operating, told Arlington council members the earthquakes occur at far different depths than the drilling.

But neighbors said they need stronger assurances the quakes aren't caused by gas drilling, especially since they can't get insurance for damage to their homes.

"Nobody has earthquake insurance. Nobody can buy that anymore. We have never live in an earthquake zone. But what I discovered is now that we do… we don't have any coverage or protection," said Bhandari.

(©2014 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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