An upcoming hearing on an application to drill a sweet gas well in the environmentally sensitive foothills of southern Alberta has been adjourned to allow the company to study a report prepared by local landowners.
The Alberta Energy and Utilities Board granted a request by Vermilion Resources Ltd. to adjourn the Oct. 15th hearing in High River after the energy company received an ecological effect analysis from the Pekisko Land Owners Association.
The company says it wants time to review the material, and that the delay will provide both parties with a chance to consider other dispute resolution options.
“We are cautiously optimistic because of the adjournment,” said Ken Stiles, a spokesman for the landowners association.
“It gives us a chance for sober second thought and more time for all parties to work together to find a viable
solution for this area.”
The proposed wellsite south of Longview is on undisturbed natural rangeland that was once the winter grazing grounds of the Bar U Ranch, a national historic site.
The new EUB hearing will be held Jan. 14th at the Highwood Memorial Centre in High River.
