LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Public comment will be taken next week before the Nebraska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission holds a hearing on a proposed Sioux County disposal site for wastewater from oil exploration.
Commission officials had said that only about two dozen people and corporations qualified as interested parties who would be allowed to testify before the three-member commission on Tuesday at its Sidney office. That brought howls from people and organizations opposed to the proposal, saying the commission was trying to stifle dissent.
But a news release posted on the commission's website now says three hours have been set aside for public comment, at three minutes per person.
Commission deputy director Stan Belieu told the Scottsbluff Star-Herald that the commission "just wanted to clarify that we've always allowed public comment."
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