An oil and gas industry proposal to drill 19 wells within 900 feet of an elementary school in Greeley ignited such parent fury that company officials on Monday backed down.
Mineral Resources Inc. officials said withdrawing their application to drill by the Frontier Academy school is an example of listening to community concerns.
They made their decision as state regulators are investigating recent fires and explosions at industry storage tanks northeast of Denver — including one last week near a different elementary school.
“We’re grateful. Now our children are safe,” said Trisha Golding, head of the Frontier Parents’ Group, who pressed their case Thursday with Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission director Matt Lepore.
“And we’re not going to rest until this city and schools make sure this doesn’t happen again behind our school or any other school,” Golding said.
The showdown began this month when parents found out about the project. Colorado last year made a rule requiring 1,000-foot buffer zones around schools and hospitals.
But Mineral Resources had proposed drilling KEEP READING
Author: Mile High Mamas
Mara
Good deal and smart move by Mineral Resources. This concession will hopefully insure they can secure other tough site permits in Greeley. Only problem is the heavy oil and water trucks 24/7 for residents and tough on the City of Greeley streets not built for such heavy traffic. Richardson family, owner of Mineral Resources has they ability to do more for the City streets and minimize the impact. That condition should be part of such future approval.
Jana
Sign up for the Frontier Parents Group today-many volunteer positions available, including fundraising, staff resources, planning the outdoor garden, and oh, protecting our children from 800 chemicals (including leukemia-causing benzene), air and water pollution, potential explosions, and a future super-fund site.
Keirsten
It seems that greed temporarily overcame common sense. It is amazing how quickly it seems they get these wells and tanks in place. They seem to be popping up everywhere, like dandilions in the Spring.
Pokey
I thought current drilling technology made it posible to set up a well and then drill out horizontally for some dstance. Why do they seem to always need to place these things in the middle of towns when they could be outside town and drill to the same locations?
For that matter, why do we seem to need wells every 15 feet? if we take it all out of the ground now, then what will be available in the future?
Mother G
Wow, how soon until wells are in every backyard?
Why in the world would Greeley have agreed to 425 wells in town?
Chris
I’m really happy to see some common sense and intelligence coming out of Greeley.