Thirst for energy taps Great Lakes
But new drilling ban threatens state plans
By Charlie Cain, and Jeremy Pearce / The Detroit News
What's at stake
If expanded gas and oil drilling under the Great Lakes is approved, it could mean:
* Added sight pollution through the construction of well operations on key beaches.
* Increased threat of water and land pollution from well leaks and accidents.
* As many as 500 million barrels of oil to help reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil.
* $60 million to $105 million in royalties to the state for environmental programs over the next 20 years.
Oil and gas in Michigan
* Michigan has 16,700 active wells that produce 8.3 million barrels of oil and billions of cubic feet of gas each year.
* 89 gas or oil leaks were reported last year.
* There are 13 shoreline wells that tap diagonally into one of the Great Lakes. Ten are in Manistee County; two are in Bay County; and one is in Alpena County.
* Last year, wells boring into the Great Lakes from Michigan's shoreline yielded 26,000 barrels of oil and enough gas to heat 19,000 homes.
MANISTEE -- Despite uncertain oil and gas deposits, the threat of surface leaks and federal legislation banning any new drilling for the next two years, Gov. John Engler is not yet willing to abandon his effort to expand energy exploration under the Great Lakes.
Full Story:
http://www.detnews.com/2001/metro/0111/19/b01-346460.htm
A personal quest to promote the use of wind energy and hydrogen technology in the Great Lakes area of the United States. The Great Lakes area is in a unique position to become an energy exporting region through these and other renewable energy technologies. *Update 2014: Just do it everywhere - Dan*
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