In the last few days, we've heard about the benefits that the Eagle Ford Shale business will bring to Laredo.
But some want to shed light on the negative aspects this type of business brings.
Whether it's on the road, in the water or in the air, environmentalists say we still don't know what's in the material that is hauled off from the fracking sites.
They're worried that as drilling intensifies, public exposure to these chemicals will increase and they don't know what the consequences will be.
"We have leaders in the community that are narrowly focused solely on the economic benefits and job creation."
Cortez says that's a good thing, but at what cost?
"It's irresponsible to ignore or choose to ignore the other side or potential harm or negative that we can expect."
Cortez and the rest of the Rio Grande International Study Center members are worried about what type of affect this will have on our air and water quality. She says water from the river is already being taken out to allow for fracking activity.
"It takes, in our area, between 7 and a half and 9 million gallons of water to frack one well."
Now the concern is what will happen to the Carizo aquifer. According to studies, she says people around the country are finding contamination in their drinking water in areas where fracking takes place. Another issue that has been seen around the city is the spilling of the fracking material.
"What's happening is that they're hauling these in open top vehicles and coming through our streets causing all of these spills."
Cortez along with others made a PSA asking residents to alert the authorities if they see these trucks spilling any of the hazardous material. When it comes to how long the fracking business will be around, Cortez doesn't think it will reach 50 years like some City officials say.
"After this boom ends and all booms end, we still have to live here. We still have that water we have to drink, air we have to breathe and land we've got to use so let's take care of it now."
Cortez says they met with representatives of Eagle Ford Shale and they agree these issues regarding the air and water quality need to be addressed to ensure the safety and well being of residents for years to come.