SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – The Southfield City Hall was packed Monday night for a town hall meeting over the possibility of oil and gas drilling in the city.
The battle has been brewing for months. Those opposed to the oil drilling have been protesting every Sunday in front of the Word of Faith International Christian Center. That's where the drilling is supposed to happen.
"Even if they drill and find nothing they're still putting stuff into the ground that will pollute the ground water," said Nancy Smith, who is against the drilling.
The plan is to allow Jordan Development -- the drilling company -- to explore for oil on church property. However, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has to approve the plan first. What makes this a bit more complicated is the city of Southfield's moratorium on oil drilling.
"The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality are the same folks that brought us Flint drinking water and an of control oil refinery is Southwest Detroit with Marathon and so these are people that I don't trust," said Skip Davis of Stop the Drilling in Southfield.
Moreover, state Rep. Jerry Moss just introduced legislation which would restrict oil and gas drilling in a residential area.
"We already have enough problems in Lansing with the DEQ. We don't need to compound those problems by having the DEQ issue a permit when the city officials have stood strong and said we don't want this in our community," said Moss.
Moss said his bill has been signed to the House Energy Committee.
There were no empty seats in the room Monday as dozens of people turned out in protest.
"All I want word of faith to understand is that it's not about the money," said Pamela Gerald of the Southfield Citizens Oversight Committee. "Considering the Flint situation, it's about the health and safety of the is community and drilling in a residential neighborhood."
The pastor of the church, Bishop Butler, directed Local 4 to their spokesperson, Andrea Simpson.
"We do sympathize with our neighbors, but we have been assured that their concerns are going to be taken care of and handled," Simpson said. "They don't have to worry about it.
Simpson also said that they had more than 1,700 people respond to MDEQ in favor of drilling on their property.
Jordan Development issued the following statement:
"The well will be located in a dense woods, visually screened and at a significant distance from any residents or property owners."
That's not good enough for many residents.
"I dont thing Bishop Butler would want people to come out to Troy to his $1.5 million home and drill in his backyard," Gerald said.
The DEQ also has scheduled a public hearing for 6 p.m. Feb. 17 at Southfield High School.