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Southfield Files Lawsuit To Stop Oil Drilling On Church Property

SOUTHFIELD (AP) — A Detroit suburb is seeking to stop a northern Michigan company from drilling an oil well on property owned by a megachurch.

A judge signed a temporary restraining order Friday prohibiting Jordan Development from starting any work at Word of Faith International Christian Center in Southfield.

The city filed a lawsuit Friday against the company which was granted a permit to drill by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.

The city says the restraining order is in effect until a March 16 hearing in Oakland County Circuit Court. The city says it will seek a preliminary injunction to stop the drilling.

Southfield has a moratorium in place that prohibits oil drilling and mining through April 28.

The Associated Press left messages Friday seeking comment from Jordan Development and the church.

 

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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