Michigan House OKs Drilling Ban
LANSING, Mich. -- The state's House of Representatives approved yesterday legislation that would bar new oil and gas drilling from the state's shoreline under the Great Lakes, the Associated Press reported.
Dissenters have countered that the state needs the oil and natural gas, and that there were no scientific reasons not to encourage exploration and production. But lawmakers, looking to preserve the quality of shorelines, endorsed the restriction that will still allow seven existing wells to continue operating.
The bill goes to Gov. John Engler, who has opposed a ban in the past but it expected to sign it into law, a spokeswoman told the AP.
Dissenters have countered that the state needs the oil and natural gas, and that there were no scientific reasons not to encourage exploration and production. But lawmakers, looking to preserve the quality of shorelines, endorsed the restriction that will still allow seven existing wells to continue operating.
The bill goes to Gov. John Engler, who has opposed a ban in the past but it expected to sign it into law, a spokeswoman told the AP.