Southlake Denies Permit For Gas Drilling Site

SOUTHLAKE (AP) - Leaders of a Fort Worth-area city has refused to grant a natural gas drilling permit for a site near Texas Highway 26.

The Southlake City Council voted Tuesday night to deny a permit, without prejudice, to XTO Energy. The company can reapply.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports the Joe Wright drill site was first proposed more than a year ago. Some residents opposed the original proposed pipeline route.

XTO seeks to drill up to 21 wells in a pasture, in a proposal that includes a new pipeline route.

Southlake in mid-January imposed a six-month moratorium on new natural gas drilling and pipeline applications, amid environmental concerns. That vote did not affect XTO's pending drilling requests.

The company last month won a permit for up to 18 wells on Milner Ranch.

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