What we can and can't do concerning Gas Well Drilling

As I was researching information concerning gas well drilling in cities, since we have a request for a permit to drill a well in Corinth, Texas, just southeast of the Lake Sharon/Oakmont intersection, I found some good guidance. State and Federal courts have long found that preventing an operator from drilling to get at Natural gas within the city limits has constituted a regulatory taking. As such it has been found unconstitutional (at least that is what I read).

So, while we can set rules to be followed in drilling a well, just like we set rules for how to xeriscape or how tall your weeds can be, we can't deny access to drill for gas. So we have rules defining how far wells have to be from residents (unless the residents that might be closer waive that), what type of fences, sound levels etc.

Whether we can impose air quality rules remains to be seen. I certainly intend to find out.