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Meeting on church oil drilling plans packs auditorium

Eric Kounce via Wikimedia | Public Domain

A public meeting has drawn opponents and supporters of plans to drill an exploratory oil well on church property in suburban Detroit, packing a high school auditorium.

Traverse City-based Jordan Development has filed a permit application to drill at Word of Faith International Christian Center in Southfield.

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality held the public meeting Wednesday night at Southfield High School to get public input before making a decision.

Church member Stephanie Jones told the panel that the church is "within the guidelines" of the state agency.

Others in the audience voiced concerns drilling would lower property values, increase emissions and pose a risk of contamination.

The city opposes the drilling and has a moratorium in effect until April 28 on oil and gas extraction and mining operations.

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