Lethbridge city council concerned about oil company’s drilling plans

CALGARY – Concerns are being raised about an oil company’s plans to drill for oil within the city limits of Lethbridge, Alta.

City councillor Jeffrey Coffman says if oil wells are drilled in an undeveloped parcel of land in the city’s southwest, it will make it tough to build there in the future.

He says there are also concerns about pollution and increased truck traffic in the area.

City council unanimously approved a resolution last November against oil and gas drilling within city limits.

Dave Hill, who is doing regulatory consulting work on behalf of Goldenkey Oil Inc., says the company hopes to allay concerns at a public meeting scheduled for next month.

Goldenkey, a small Calgary-based concern, has mineral rights on the land, but has not yet filed for regulatory approval to drill there.