Southfield Word Of Faith Church Granted Permit To Drill For Oil

SOUTHFIELD (CBS Detroit) Praise the Lord and pass the drill bits because the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has granted a much-protested permit for oil drilling in Southfield.

The MDEQ's chief of Oil, Gas and Minerals says the application for Jordan Development to drill at the Word of Faith church complex, on Evergreen and Nine Mile Roads, met all statutory and legal requirements so the department was obligated to issue the permit.

Seismic testing has revealed the possibility of oil underground.

Church leaders have said the potential revenue would allow them to excel their ministry and mission work. Neighbors say they're worried about the noise and the mess, and potentially damaging the value of their properties.

About 1,000 people attended a public meeting last month. Many spoke out against the drilling.

Representatives from Word of Faith pushed for the permit. The state will monitor the drilling when it begins. The company is required to give a five day notice to the DEQ prior to preparing the drill site.