American Oil and Gas Reporter - August 2015 - 26

IndustryDigest
would work in tandem with existing and
upcoming regulations," ANGA says.
EPA says it is accepting comments
on the Methane Challenge until Sept. 1,
adding it hopes to launch the program
by year-end. The framework document
can be viewed online at
www.epa.gov/gasstar/documents/metha
ne_challenge_proposal_072315.pdf. ❒

Stillwater's Ordinance
Goes Too Far, OIPA Says
STILLWATER, OK.-Despite state
lawmakers affirming the Oklahoma
Corporation Commission's authority to
regulate oil and gas activities two
months earlier, the Stillwater City
Council in July adopted an ordinance
that the Oklahoma Independent
Petroleum Association warns will
impede future development.
SB 809 prohibits towns and
municipalities from imposing
nonsurface regulations on oil and gas
activities, although it does allow them

to adopt "reasonably necessary"
regulations regarding setbacks, road
use, traffic, noise, odors and fencing
(AOGR, June 2015, pg. 33).
But in an amendment to the city's
land development code, Stillwater city
councilmen voted unanimously to
create a section for oil and gas drilling
that establishes requirements for site
plans and mitigation/restoration, and for
drilling and completing wells, according
to media reports. The council also voted
4-1 to ask Payne County, Ok.,
commissioners to adopt a similar
ordinance.
According to local press accounts,
the Stillwater ordinance imposes a 660foot setback from the property line of
"protected use" properties, including
homes, churches, parks, schools,
libraries and hospitals. The ordinance
also forbids new structures from being
built within 400 feet of oil and gas wells
drilled after the ordinance becomes
effective.
The ordinance limits noise from
drilling operations at the setback

boundary to 69 decibels, which
published reports note is about the same
as a vacuum cleaner. It does allow
variances from that limit "for limited
periods," press accounts add.
The ordinance also requires
operators to carry general liability
commercial insurance of at least $1
million, environmental impairment
insurance of at least $2 million, and
general umbrella liability coverage of at
least $5 million.
Stillwater City Attorney John
Dorman told reporters the city believed
its ordinance fell within the authority
SB 809 granted municipalities. "We are
regulating only setbacks, noise and
odors-things specifically related to
permitting," he is quoted.
However, OIPA Vice President for
Regulatory Affairs A.J. Ferate says the
association believes the ordinance "sets
unreasonable standards" and conflicts
with SB 809. Specifically, he says the
660-foot setback will "prevent future
drilling." ❒

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26 THE AMERICAN OIL & GAS REPORTER
American Oil and Gas Reporter - August 2015

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