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July 11, 2012Ruling that state standards supersede parish ordinances when it came to the oil and gas industry, a summary judgment will allow Vanguard Environmental to dig a injection well within 500 feet of commercial and residential property in Houma.
On Friday, Judge George J. Larke Jr. ruled that Terrebonne Parish, which requires a one-mile distance from homes, schools and businesses for placement of oil industry waste wells, must instead comply with state standards that allow disposal units to be placed as close as 500 feet from those areas.
“Unfortunately, they ruled against us,” Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet said. “The fact of the matter is that the ordinance we have will keep out wells other than injection wells or wells that have to do with the oil and gas industry.”
Vanguard had requested an exception to the parish ordinance in 2010 so it could drill an injection well on a two-acre lot it owns along La. Highway 182.
The site is near the National Guard Armory at 1000 Williams Ave., several businesses, area churches, schools and homes.
The parish council had considered allowing an exception to its injection well ordinance, but public resistance during February 2011 prompted local officials to stand by stricter guidelines rather than adjust to state requirements.
Larke said during his ruling that the state has regulatory authority when it comes to oil and gas sites, and Louisiana’s softer standards outweigh parish regulations.
“This shows you the influence of the oil and gas industry,” Claudet said. “We need to protect the health and safety of our residents. If this ruling stands we could have injection wells all over the parish.”
Vanguard officials were not available for comment.
Claudet said Terrebonne Parish will appeal the court’s ruling.
