Rising energy concerns in America may have some oil companies hoping to say “yes” to Michigan.
But reactions by Michigan residents and environmentalists to a possible increase in drilling in the Great Lakes have been negative, according to a local poll.
State officials say there may not be as much reason for concern as some would believe.
“Governor (John) Engler believes that if the rules that govern drilling in Michigan are followed, there is nothing to worry about,” said Susan Shafer, a spokeswoman for Engler.
Officials believe that much of the concern regarding the drilling is the worry that lakeshores could be littered with large smoking oil rigs, ruining both air and water.
But experts believe this is not something for Michiganians to worry about, since such drilling has been banned. Michigan already has seven working wells operating with another six sitting idle.
Michigan has produced 438,000 barrels of oil and 17.7 billion-cubic-feet of natural gas have been produced since the first well was drilled under Lake Michigan in 1979 - a small part of what is produced in the United States each day.
“Obviously, we want to be cautious with our lakes,” said Ken Silfven, spokesman for the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. “It’s been done safely - the science clearly shows that there is nothing to be concerned about. The people of this state benefit from it.”
Drilling already is allowed in portions of the Great Lakes, including portions of Lake Erie. Ohio Gov. Bob Taft said Tuesday he would not support drilling in Lake Erie.
A poll conducted a few months ago by the Lansing-based polling firm EPIC/MRA also resulted in a negative response, although state officials believe that problems with the questionnaire itself may be to blame.
“No matter how we word the questions, the people of Michigan don’t think that drilling under the Great Lakes will have an impact on our energy problems,” said Ed Sarpolus, vice president of the firm.
Michigan-area petroleum officials also agree that residents do not like the idea. John Griffin, executive director of Associated Petroleum Industries of Michigan, believes the negative reaction to drilling is a misunderstanding about the process and its benefits.
“People don’t think the two go together - drilling and the Great Lakes,” Griffin said. “It’s all directionally drilled. Anything contained in Michigan is on land. Every marginal barrel adds to the gas usage in the state. If it’s not there, the price on what we import is even higher.
“A little bit means a lot.”
