Prompt Senate Action Needed
to Stop Great Lakes Drilling

For Immediate Release: January 25, 2002

Contact: James Clift - (517) 487-9539 Tanya Cabala - (616) 850-0745 Cyndi Roper - (616) 742-4084

LANSING - A ban on directional drilling below the lakes passed the Michigan House of Representatives Thursday on a strong bipartisan vote of 98-7. "We appreciate the Michigan House of Representatives moving quickly on this piece of legislation." said James Clift, Policy Director of the Michigan Environmental Council.

The bill now moves to the Michigan Senate, where quick action is needed to stop new leases from being granted. The Department of Natural Resources is currently considering four new leases to drill below the lakes.

An amendment introduced on the House floor during the voting Thursday would have guaranteed drilling permits to applicants who receive a lease before the bill is signed into law. Though the amendment was defeated on a vote of 21-82, the window of opportunity for new leases remains open. Under the bill as passed by the House, no new drilling permits would be issued for directional drilling regardless of whether an applicant has received a lease.

"The people of Michigan recognize that the Great Lakes and their coastlines are priceless and irreplaceable resources," said Tanya Cabala, Michigan Director of the Lake Michigan Federation. "The people have made it clear-they want the Great Lakes protected for their children, and they expect the government to get it done."

"We are calling on the State Senate and the Governor to move quickly to close the door to oil and gas drillers and permanently ban drilling below the lakes," said Cyndi Roper of Clean Water Action. The group is one of several citizen organizations sponsoring a public forum in Grand Rapids to explain their concerns to legislators.

All 20 western Michigan legislators have been invited to attend the forum.

Submitted by:

James Clift
Michigan Environmental Council
119 Pere Marquette, Ste 2A
Lansing, MI 48912
(517) 487-9539
jamesmec@voyager.net

Tanya Cabala (616) 850-0745
Cyndi Roper (616) 742-4084