Mills officials upset over proposed mud recycling facility

Officials in Mills say they don’t want a proposed drilling-mud recycling facility to be built just outside of the town’s borders.

The plant would take oil-soaked mud from oil and gas wells, and remove impurities before sending it to the landfill.

Mills Mayor Elsie Herbort says she’s concerned that the plant could give off bad odors and use dangerous chemicals.

“Why don’t they put it out closer to the rigs where the drilling is taking place, rather than in a residential and commercial area?” Mills said.

The Natrona County commissioners approved the facility, but it still needs to approval from the Department of Environmental Quality.

Anchor Environmental, the company that would build the plant, says town residents will have a chance to voice their concerns during DEQ’s permitting process.