Oil/gas drilling in Munroe Falls halted

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by Tess Wolfe

Reporter

Munroe Falls -- D&L Energy has agreed to not drill for oil and gas on the Sonoco property at 59 N. Main Street until after a commission hearing on the issue takes place.

A hearing before the Oil and Gas Commission originally set for April 25 will be rescheduled; a new date has not been set.

Munroe Falls Mayor Frank Larson said the city is fighting the drilling at the Sonoco site because of its 400-foot proximity to the Cuyahoga Falls Water System, which supplies the cities of Munroe Falls, Silver Lake and Cuyahoga Falls.

According to an April 14 press release from Larson's office, "Flooding on the Sonoco property comes from the Cuyahoga River as it rises. Not only can runoff from the drilling site contaminate the ground that holds the drinking water, but it can also contaminate the river."

John Keller, attorney for D&L Energy, said, "D&L has an oil and gas permit from the state to drill there, issued by the state some time last fall. They determined it was safe."

He said D&L Energy asked for the hearing to be postponed due to scheduling issues.

"We said we will only do the continuance if D&L agrees not to drill before the hearing," city Law Director Jack Morrison said. "Once you've drilled, the horse is out of the barn."

In the continuance request, Keller wrote, "D&L Energy has agreed not to commence drilling of the subject well before the hearing on this appeal."

"[The hearing] will not be rescheduled for at least 90 days," said Morrison. "We think we can win."