Addison Supervisor Bruce Pearson took time during his monthly report at the Nov. 19 township board meeting to tell the public what he and his colleagues will do should Energex Petroleum attempt to put an oil well in the community again.

Two weeks ago, the company withdrew its application for an oil and natural gas well in Addison. The well was much-opposed by both residents and township officials with many citing concerns of the health of residents. Should an oil well leak, it could be lethal for those in the area.

“I received a letter from the EPA that Energex has withdrawn their application for a gas injection, which (would be) out there at Leonard Rd.,” Pearson said at the Nov. 19 meeting. “This is good news for us, as you know the township has been fighting this for a long, long time.”

In June 2018, the State of Michigan changed its policy on matters similar to the oil well Energex had applied for. Applicants no longer need the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to approve underground injections. Instead, applicants will go through Michigan’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Energex would have injected gas to extract the oil in Addison, which would make that application fall under this new policy.

Some residents present at the meeting were concerned Energex may have withdrawn its proposal from the EPA with the hopes of taking advantage of this new policy. Under this new policy, there is a potential for companies to encounter less red tape.

But, Pearson said he and his colleagues will continue to fight the issue should Energex reapply.

“I’m envisioning that (Energex is) going to come back…We have our representatives and our senators that we can rely on,” Pearson said. “We’re happy about this decision (to withdraw) so far.”