Glenrock residents are invited to attend a forum next week that will address the impacts of the oil and gas industry on landowners. The two key speakers for the event will be a private property attorney and a Wyoming resident who was evacuated from her land because of an oil blowout. They will discuss the development of the oil industry around Glenrock, as well as risks to nearby landowners such as emissions, spills, evacuations, and the devaluing of property in the area.
Jill Morrison, with the Powder River Basin Resource Council, said even if the risk of evacuations or spills seems unlikely, it should be taken seriously.
"We hope that evacuations are rare and not common occurrences. But they have occurred in the past in Wyoming and we expect they will occur in the future," she said.
Morrison added that it’s crucial for residents to know what’s happening in their community.
"I think the most important thing people can do right now is talk with their neighbors, talk with the regulatory agencies, get engaged in the process before it’s too late, before wells are going to be permitted or planned," she said.
By getting involved, Morrison said residents can better influence what happens to their property.
The Powder River Basin Resource Council and the Rolling Hills Landowners are sponsoring the event. It will take place next Tuesday, September 9th at 7pm at the Glenrock Recreation Center.
