PETERSBURG, Mich. — Monroe County officials who oppose the use of injection wells for oil drilling are optimistic about a bill introduced in the state Legislature that would prohibit them.
Supporters of the bill know they have a long battle before the measure may be approved.
“That was just round one, we’re waking up a sleeping bear,” Summerfield Supervisor John Chandler said. “All the lobbyists and them will come at us in a big way. It will be a big challenge, but it is for all the right reasons. There’s no logical reason to vote against (the bill).”
Mr. Chandler, along with state Sen. Dale Zorn (R., Ida), who introduced the bill, oppose injection wells because they are concerned the wells could affect groundwater in the region’s karst topography and possibly pollute the region’s water supply.
Trendwell Energy Corp. of Rockford, Mich. plans to put in an injection well at its site on Ida Center Road, just northwest of Alcott Road, where it has three other oil wells.
Hal Fitch, chief officer of the MDEQ oil, gas, and minerals, said the injection wells are safe.
He said there have been no problems with the 136 active injection wells in Michigan. He said protections and guidelines prevent water pollution.
Mr. Fitch said local residents should not be concerned.
He said the injection wells are a safe way to extract oil from the earth.
“If their permits allow drilling in karst geology I believe their process is flawed,” Mr. Zorn said. “If there’s a breach, chemicals get in the drinking water and arrogation which could ruin thousands of acres for years.”
Mr. Zorn expects the bill to come before the Energy and Technology Committee in the next few weeks.
If approved there, it would go to the full state Senate. The bill also must make its way through the state House of Representatives.
If both houses approve the bill, Gov. Rick Synder would have to sign it to make it a law.
Contact Matt Thompson at: mthompson@theblade.com, 419-356-8786, or on Twitter at @mthompson25.
First Published September 21, 2015, 4:00 a.m.
