Michigan Officials Plan New Rules For Oil, Gas Drilling

DETROIT (AP) - Michigan officials are planning new rules related to advance notification and precautions for oil and gas companies seeking to put new wells in the Detroit area.

The Detroit News reports state Department of Environmental Quality officials plan to send new instructions for companies that intend to drill wells in counties with populations exceeding 750,000 - Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties.

A summary memorandum of the rules obtained by the newspaper says changes would require more residents and government officials be told about prospective drilling.

The rules require that companies study other locations than the proposed site; adopt ways to reduce noise and light caused by drilling; and install at least one ground water well in the area to monitor for possible contamination of the water supply in residential areas.

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