RIFLE — Garfield County is challenging an energy company’s plans to drill near several homes and a church south of Rifle, even though the company is backing off for now.
State laws limit how close wells can be located to churches, and the Seventh-day Adventist Church is nearby. Several neighbors also had complained about having a well so close to where people live, play and pray.
The proposed well was for a site close to a subdivision on the back road between Rifle and Rulison that also is the site of another subdivision being planned.
Garfield County Commissioner John Martin said even though the company, Laramie Energy II, is not moving forward on its proposal, commissioners decided to appeal the proposal in case the company changes plans or is sold to another company.
