By Daniel Lapham/Staff Writer
published March 16, 2008

Shredded, pothole-ridden asphalt of some El Reno roads could get a makeover with the help of new gas and oil site licensing and operation fees approved by the City Council on March 4.

Rising energy costs are the most visible impact of the oil and natural gas industry, but the wear and tear on local roads are often an unexpected consequence. Now, those gouges could get some filler from drilling companies after a resolution passed, adding additional fees and bond insurance to the existing $7,500 drilling permit fee assessed by the city, said Robert Coleman, community development director.

The estimated $75,000 to $90,000 per year in additional revenue from the new fees could be used to fix the scarred roads, Coleman said.

“The sole purpose of this resolution is to offset damage that is done as a part of the normal routine involved in the drilling industry,” he said. “We’ve gone 30 years without anything like this. I mean, take the road to the airport for example. I wonder how much of that damage was cause by drilling equipment.”

In his report to the Council, Coleman said Smith Road and a bridge off South Alfadale Road are testaments to the damage done to city roads. Another example given at the meeting was Reformatory Road behind Lake El Reno.