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Ann Arbor, Scio residents oppose oil/gas drilling in residential area

A group of residents of Scio Township and Ann Arbor hope to stop an oil well project in a heavily residential area between the two municipalities.

That's even though state law prohibits townships from passing ordinances to ban oil and gas drilling.

Laura Robinson is with Citizens for Oil Free Backyards.

She says this is not just a "NIMBY" movement.

NIMBY stands for "Not In My Backyard."

"We're not NIMBY," says Robinson.  "In fact we're looking at ourselves as quite the opposite, not in anyone's backyard.  And all around the state, and country, there there are groups fighting this.  In Oakland County there's a group, "Don't Drill the Hills" who's fighting the very same battle."

The group hopes to submit a ballot initiative next year to allow any community in Michigan to say no to oil and gas drilling.

 

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Tracy Samilton covers energy and transportation, including the auto industry and the business response to climate change for Michigan Public. She began her career at Michigan Public as an intern, where she was promptly “bitten by the radio bug,” and never recovered.