Please Note: The content in this post was received as a press release from Don’t Drill the Hills, Inc (DDHI). It is posted solely as an update on this issue. No compensation was received by Rochester Media for posting it, nor should it be perceived as an endorsement of DDHI.
Don’t Drill the Hills, Inc (DDHI) is proud to be part of shaping the conversation on issues specific to oil/gas exploration in high density residential areas at both the State and local level. A delegation from DDHI will be joining a number of grassroots groups who share similar concerns in the March for Oil-Free Neighborhoods in Lansing on Tuesday, September 9, 2014. DDHI members will be speaking with State legislators and engaging directly on issues including discussion of Senate Bill 1026. This bill, touted by Rochester Hills officials as a “game changer” to return local control, has deep flaws.
Essentially, the bill merely adds the procedural step of public hearings, then grants the State’s Supervisor of Wells power to issue the drilling permit regardless of local objections if it would “prevent waste” of valuable natural resources, and if no other “reasonable alternative location” can be secured. Where is the local control?
Recognizing that the City’s drilling moratorium is temporary and difficult to enforce, DDHI continues its months-long efforts to encourage Rochester Hills officials to:
1) Work on local control via enforceable municipal ordinances: 1500 foot setbacks from residences and K-12 schools, zoning for production facilities, as well as nuisance ordinances: smell, dust, noise, light.
2) Rescind the City oil lease for parks and a cemetery in the middle of subdivisions and schools; a lease which was not voter approved.
It remains to be seen if SB 1026 can be amended to provide residential areas the protections it purports, or if this was perhaps intended to be a “game changer” for election season, as some fear.
DDHI and other groups against drilling in high density residential and school zones are steadfast in their commitment to see these efforts through. We look forward to working productively in this process.
Don’t Drill the Hills, Inc. is a non-partisan grassroots nonprofit corporation that is building awareness of the risks of horizontal drilling in high-density residential and K-12 School areas. Concerns include: property rights, property values, mortgage and insurance complications, as well as potential environmental and health risks.
Check out these Rochester Media posts related to this topic:
Don’t Drill the Hills, Inc. Drives Rochester Hills City Council About-Face
State Representative Candidate VanRaaphorst Responds to Rochester Hills Moratorium
Rochester Hills City Council puts drilling plans on hold
State Representative Candidate Michael Webber responds to drilling moratorium
About Sarah Hovis
It’s good to see that someone is reading the fine print. Doesn’t look like the City is.