LANSING — Rep. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield) introduced House Bill 5258 this week to restrict oil and gas drilling in residential areas
“Oil and gas companies are ramping up their efforts in our community, and residents are rightly concerned about risks to public health, the environment and our water resources,” Moss said.
Specifically his bill would prohibit a permit from being granted in a county with a population of 750,000 or more unless all of the following conditions are met:
- The proposed well will be located at least 2,000 feet from a residential building;
- The location and operation of the proposed well will be in compliance with applicable local ordinances; and
- The Department of Environmental Quality has held a public hearing in the city, village or township in which the proposed well is located and has considered the public input from that public hearing.
Moss held a town hall Jan. 27 on oil and gas drilling featuring a presentation from Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash. The auditorium at the Southfield Library at which the town hall was held reached capacity and about half of the approximate 400 people in attendance had to be turned away.
As such, a second town hall is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 1, at 6 p.m., in the Council Chambers at Southfield City Hall, 26000 Evergreen Road in Southfield. The presentation should last about an hour, with time set aside for questions and answers. An overflow room will be provided if the council chambers reaches capacity.