Drilling plan concerns OKC residents

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Several Oklahoma City residents are worried about an oil company’s desire to drill near Lake Hefner.

Residents attended the Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust’s regular Tuesday meeting to offer their concerns about the proposal by Pedestal Oil Co. Inc. to drill for oil and natural gas. They’re worried about noise, safety and the possibility of spills into the lake, which provides drinking water for the city.

The Oklahoman reports 72-year-old Tim Kirk told trustees he thought the issue of any oil and gas development near the lake had been settled in 1995 when another company tried to drill near it. He says that proposal wasn’t permitted because it was too close to the watershed.

City attorneys are still looking over Pedestal’s proposal. A message seeking comment was left with the oil company Wednesday.