The process of deciding whether an Oklahoma company may drill for oil near Rio Rancho took a half step forward in December with more debate scheduled this month.
The Sandoval County Planning and Zoning Commission recessed its December 10 public hearing after listening to company representatives and state regulators but less than half of the sixty people who signed up to speak. The hearing is to resume on January 28 with the remaining public testimony from those left waiting at the earlier hearing.
P&Z commissioners could then approve, reject, or extend consideration of the zoning application by SandRidge Exploration and Production LLC of Oklahoma City. The final decision on special-use zoning for two acres of a forty-acre tract about four miles west of Rio Rancho is up to the Sandoval County Commission. A challenge could be filed in District Court.
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