Gardendale Gets Attention of Legislators
By: Jamie Kuras
Updated: March 18, 2011
AUSTIN -- Gardendale just got the attention of legislator's in the Texas House with the introduction of Texas House Bill 3241.
The bill would place certain restrictions on oil drilling in unincorporated areas of Texas. This news is a step in the right direction for home and land owners who have seen stakes -- which would eventually be replaced with drilling rigs -- on their property.
"There has been a lot of drilling activity in our area in Ector County that is close to houses and everything," said State Representative Tryon Lewis. "The city has an ordinance that keeps drilling rigs at least 400 feet away from houses, and it seemed like to me a good thing to do as far as a populated areas outside of the city."
Right now, oil companies have the ability to access the minerals on any home or land owners property, as long as it's within reason. Gardendale is looking to become a city and form their own city government, so they can put ordinances in place to regulate the drilling.
Lewis said this bill is going to be difficult to pass in the next legislation because there is so much on everyone's plate. But he is still optimistic and hopes it will go through.
The bill would place certain restrictions on oil drilling in unincorporated areas of Texas. This news is a step in the right direction for home and land owners who have seen stakes -- which would eventually be replaced with drilling rigs -- on their property.
"There has been a lot of drilling activity in our area in Ector County that is close to houses and everything," said State Representative Tryon Lewis. "The city has an ordinance that keeps drilling rigs at least 400 feet away from houses, and it seemed like to me a good thing to do as far as a populated areas outside of the city."
Right now, oil companies have the ability to access the minerals on any home or land owners property, as long as it's within reason. Gardendale is looking to become a city and form their own city government, so they can put ordinances in place to regulate the drilling.
Lewis said this bill is going to be difficult to pass in the next legislation because there is so much on everyone's plate. But he is still optimistic and hopes it will go through.
