GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) — County commissioners have approved the second phase of an energy development project in a western Colorado residential community.
The Daily Sentinel reports Ursa Resources is currently developing natural gas wells on two pads in Battlement Mesa, an unincorporated community of a few thousand residents.
Garfield County commissioners on Thursday approved the drilling of dozens more gas wells on two more pads, along with pipelines, an injection well and a water storage facility.
Residents voiced opposition to the project, citing concerns about the proximity of the wells to houses, and the possibility that a leak from the injection well could contaminate the community’s water.
Commissioner Tom Jankovsky says it’s in the community’s best interest to allow the injection well, and the well is in a safer location than previously proposed.