Extraction Oil and Gas will appeal its rejected proposal to drill 22 wells in west Greeley to the Greeley city council Tuesday. Residents near the Triple Creek project successfully petitioned the Greeley Planning Commission in January.
The commission denied the plan even though it met the city and state’s regulatory criteria—and sometimes went beyond what was required. It’s the first time in at least five years the Planning Commission has rejected such a project.
The Denver Post reports landowners with mineral rights are encouraged to attend the appeal Tuesday before Greeley councilmembers. Mineral rights owners were in Adams County in January protesting a proposed 10-month moratorium on drilling.
Greeley city council members will be in a difficult position. They can approve the project—and upset residents concerned about truck traffic. Or they can vote against an industry that has been vital to the area's economy.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
