CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — State officials say they might consider increasing the current 350-foot minimum distance that oil and gas wells must be located away from homes in Wyoming.

State Oil and Gas Supervisor Grant Black says the issue is a priority for the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, the state agency that regulates oil and gas drilling.

Up until recently, Wyoming's sparse population has enabled most oil and gas drilling to occur a good distance away from homes and businesses. Now, the Niobrara (NYE'-oh-BRER'-uh) Shale oil boom is putting oil wells ever closer to homes in the Douglas area and elsewhere.

Some say the 350-foot minimum isn't enough distance.

Jill Morrison with the Powder River Basin Resource Council says Wyoming should expand the zone before more drilling occurs near homes.

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