Gov. Bill Ritter told a group of environmentalists Tuesday that he is weighing whether the economic benefits of more gas drilling on the Roan Plateau are worth disturbing a “largely untouched” wilderness.
The governor focused on how to mitigate the environmental impact if the federal government expands drilling on the Roan.
“We are looking for the balance,” Ritter told Colorado Conservation Voters, a political arm for environmental groups. “We are absolutely paying attention to impact.”
As he spoke, Colorado Department of Natural Resources director Harris Sherman was preparing for a trip to Rifle today to walk on the Roan Plateau, a 3,500-foot mesa that is a haven for hunters and anglers.
“It’s sort of a reconnaissance,” said department spokeswoman Deb Frazier.
The state is in the middle of a 120-day review of the Roan Plateau drilling plan, granted by the federal Bureau of Land Management at Ritter’s request. In December, the state is expected to tell the bureau what it thinks of expanded drilling for natural gas on the Roan.
But the governor’s office acknowledged that the federal government doesn’t have to listen, Ritter spokesman Evan Dreyer said.
And the state’s top environmentalists say they are relying on Colorado’s congressional delegation to block expanded drilling.
The U.S. House passed an energy bill with an amendment sponsored by Colorado Democratic Reps. Mark Udall and John Salazar that would bar drilling on top of the Roan. The House and Senate have to reconcile their versions of the bill.
“At the end of the day, we have to count on our congressional delegation,” said Elise Jones, executive director of the Colorado Environmental Coalition.
Jones said she is frustrated with the “rush to lease” in western Colorado, particularly in one of the “last few special places.”
But those who support the Bureau of Land Management’s plan say it’s restrictive enough to protect the environment. The plan would limit drilling to 1 percent of the plateau’s surface at a given time, argue Sen. Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction, and Rep. Al White, R-Winter Park.
They propose putting drilling revenue in a trust fund for colleges and universities.
Meg Collins, president of the Colorado Oil & Gas Association, said companies have the technology to safely explore the Roan.
“The industry believes it can explore and develop for energy resources in an environmentally sensitive and an environmentally responsible manner,” she said.
Ritter signed new laws this year designed to protect the environment and wildlife habitat from the drilling boom.
The laws added more environmentalists to the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission and directed the commission to include the Division of Wildlife in creating drilling practices.
Ritter said he was concerned about mule deer and elk herds on the Roan Plateau but encouraged by an increase in directional drilling in Colorado, which allows companies to drill more wells from one pad.
“We are going to be stubborn about measuring impact,” he said.
Staff writer Jennifer Brown can be reached at 303-954-1593 or jenbrown@denverpost.com.
Thanks,
Jennifer Brown
The Denver Post
303-954-1593
—–Original Message—–
From: Gallegos, Demetria
Sent: Friday, September 21, 2007 2:10 PM
To: Brown, Jennifer
Subject: Ritter story for clarification…
HED
Ritter seeks “balance” on Roan drilling
SUBHEAD
Although the governor opposes more gas wells on the plateau, he said the state should focus on mitigating any impact.
The economic benefits of more gas drilling on the Roan Plateau aren’t worth disturbing a “largely untouched” wilderness, Gov. Bill Ritter told a group of environmentalists Tuesday.
But the governor made no promise that he could prevent the federal government’s drilling plans and focused more on how to mitigate the environmental impact.
“We are looking for the balance,” Ritter told Colorado Conservation Voters, a political arm for environmental groups. “We are absolutely paying attention to impact.”
As he spoke, Colorado Department of Natural Resources director Harris Sherman was preparing for a trip to Rifle today to walk on the Roan Plateau, a 3,500-foot mesa that is a haven for hunters and anglers.
“It’s sort of a reconnaissance,” said department spokeswoman Deb Frazier.
The state is in the middle of a 120-day review of the Roan Plateau drilling plan, granted by the federal Bureau of Land Management at Ritter’s request. In December, the state is expected to tell the bureau why it opposes expanded drilling for natural gas on the Roan.
But the governor’s office acknowledged that the federal government doesn’t have to listen, Ritter spokesman Evan Dreyer said.
And the state’s top environmentalists say they are relying on Colorado’s congressional delegation to block expanded drilling.
The U.S. House passed an energy bill with an amendment sponsored by Colorado Democratic Reps. Mark Udall and John Salazar that would bar drilling on top of the Roan. The House and Senate have to reconcile their versions of the bill.
“At the end of the day, we have to count on our congressional delegation,” said Elise Jones, executive director of the Colorado Environmental Coalition.
Jones said she is frustrated with the “rush to lease” in western Colorado, particularly in one of the “last few special places.”
But those who support the Bureau of Land Management’s plan say it’s restrictive enough to protect the environment. The plan would limit drilling to 1 percent of the plateau’s surface at a given time, argue Sen. Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction, and Rep. Al White, R-Winter Park.
They propose putting drilling revenue in a trust fund for colleges and universities.
Meg Collins, president of the Colorado Oil & Gas Association, said companies have the technology to safely explore the Roan.
“The industry believes it can explore and develop for energy resources in an environmentally sensitive and an environmentally responsible manner,” she said.
Ritter signed new laws this year designed to protect the environment and wildlife habitat from the drilling boom.
The laws added more environmentalists to the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission and directed the commission to include the Division of Wildlife in creating drilling practices.
Ritter said he was concerned about mule deer and elk herds on the Roan Plateau but encouraged by an increase in directional drilling in Colorado, which allows companies to drill more wells from one pad.
“We are going to be stubborn about measuring impact,” he said.
Staff writer Jennifer Brown can be reached at 303-954-1593 or jenbrown@denverpost.com.
This article has been revised in this online archive to clarify Gov. Ritter’s position on expanded drilling on the Roan Plateau. Ritter is awaiting the end of a 120-day review period before deciding whether he supports expanded drilling on the Roan.
