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Edmond repeals local oil-and-gas code, citing state law and court ruling; council declares emergency
Summary
The council voted to repeal Title 18 of the municipal code covering oil and gas wells and approved an emergency declaration after staff cited 2015 state legislation (Senate Bill 809) and a 2022 Oklahoma Supreme Court affirmation that limit municipal authority over oil-and-gas activity.
Edmond — The City Council on Sept. 23 voted to repeal its local code regulating oil and gas wells (Title 18) and approved an emergency declaration to make the repeal effective immediately.
Ivan Smith, supervisor of code enforcement, told council that 2015 state legislation (Senate Bill 809) restricts municipal authority over oil-and-gas activity to areas such as road use, traffic, odor, noise, setbacks and fencing; he said the Oklahoma Supreme Court reaffirmed that limitation in 2022. Based on those constraints, staff recommended repeal of the local ordinance and said other municipal code provisions remain available to address violations.
A councilmember moved to adopt the repeal and to declare an emergency; both motions were seconded and approved by council vote. Council discussion included questions about the number of wells in the city limits; Smith reported there are 91 wells in city limits with three orphaned wells on the state's plugging list and some wells subject to surface leases or water flooding operations.
What happens next: With the repeal and emergency declaration approved, staff will coordinate any follow-up enforcement actions under other applicable municipal provisions and monitor orphaned wells and OERB (Oklahoma Energy Resources Board) plugging lists.
