Stillwater City Council Passes Drilling Ban, Critics Call It ‘Unreasonable’
Council in Stillwater unanimously approves rules for oil, gas drilling
by Adam Wilmoth
STILLWATER — The Stillwater City Council on Monday unanimously approved a new ordinance for oil and gas drilling, establishing noise limits and requiring setbacks from homes, schools and hospitals.
The council also voted 5-0 to approve a resolution that asks Payne County to pass a similar ordinance.
Oil and natural gas industry representatives said they were disappointed with the vote.
“They did make very minor changes to it, but the ordinance itself is still significantly unreasonable,” said A.J. Ferate, vice president of regulatory affairs at the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association. “In spirit, it does not allow for oil and gas drilling in city limits. It’s essentially a ban.”