Lucido Introduces Bill to Regulate Oil Drilling

Representative Peter Lucido (R-Shelby Township) introduced House Bill 4237 on Tuesday, a bill that would allow townships to better regulate the distance between oil drilling sites and residential homes. Additionally, the measure would repeal a portion of the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act that prohibits townships from regulating or controlling gas and drilling operations within their parameters. This bill has since been referred to the House Energy Policy Committee.

According to the Representative, over 90 percent of drilling operations in Michigan occur in townships. He feels it would only make sense that the townships have control over operations that concern their citizens.

This bill would address these citizen concerns over area operations regarding oil drilling sites. In his statement, Representative Lucido commented that townships are currently disgruntled by how drilling operations are being conducted, yet have no way of addressing these concerns.

The Representative wishes to change this by giving the power to the townships to set their own regulations, as he feels the safety and wellbeing of the residents are not being properly handled by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). A similar bill was introduced last year by Senator Jack Brandenburg (R-Harrison Township), but it never emerged from committee.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, February 27, 2015 10:33 AM
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