Between the recent passage of the Keystone XL pipeline bill in the Congress and rising prices at the pumps after their plummet late last year, the topic of oil and energy is heating up.

Home to almost 400 oil and gas wells, Cass County has been in the midst of its own energy-related conversation for the last several months, pertaining to a contested subject across the entire country — fracking.

On Tuesday, members of the county board of commissioners will be leading a public talk about the controversial oil drilling method, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 17, inside the community room of the Cassopolis Family Clinic.

Chairperson Bernie Williamson and Commissioners Roseann Marchetti and E. Clark Cobb will discuss their recent research into fracking, and what measures the county government can take in case such activity takes place within the area.

The three commissioners formed a subcommittee devoted to discussing the topic following a series of conversations held within the chamber in the fall, after the DEQ issued a enhanced oil recovery permit for a number of oil fields located in Calvin Township. While the process approved by the state agency was not the same as fracking, which refers to the fracturing of subterranean rocks to extract oil and gas, it raised concerns about whether it opened the door for such work to be performed within the county.

Though state law prohibits county or township boards from revoking oil drilling licenses, local authorities do have some regulation powers, which the commissioners will share with the public on Tuesday, Williamson said.

“We would like a little more control over the process,” she said. “We’re not always convinced that the DEQ is in a position to protect us adequately. We want to lay out to the public and to township officials what we can do about it in a legal and enforceable way.”

With gas prices fallen to nearly $2 a gallon and a large number energy companies apprehensive about the return on investment using the process, the committee feels now is a better time than ever to discuss what can be done about fracking within the area, Williamson said. The commissioners plan on laying out the pros, cons and other information about fracking during the meeting.

“We’re not looking to start a panic or hold a riot here,” Williamson said. “We just want to say if fracking comes here, we want it to be done in a safe and responsible way.”

In addition, the committee wants to hear what how public feels about the subject and whether they largely support or denounce potential fracking projects within the county, Williamson said.

“We’re here to hear from them as much as they are to hear from us,” she said.

The commissioners also plan to discuss the subject during the county’s annual intergovernmental forum, a gathering of country, township, village and city officials that takes place every spring.

While no fracking projects are currently taking place, Williamson and others within the county want to stay ahead of the issue while they still have time, she said.

“This is the best opportunity we have to implement protections,” Williamson said. “Once a lease is signed, that’s it. There’s not a thing that can be done.”

Anyone with questions about Tuesday’s meeting or other information are encouraged to contact Williamson at (269) 445-9100.