A group of lawmakers sent Gov. Bill Ritter a letter today calling proposed rules for oil and gas production “unacceptable” and beyond what the legislature intended.
“We are gravely concerned that the draft rules will have a punitive impact on industry at a time when already high energy prices are pinching Colorado’s working families like never before,” said the letter, signed by nine Republicans and two rural Democrats.
The legislature passed two bills last year to tighten regulation of the oil and gas industry. One revamped the oil and gas commission, requiring more experts on wildlife and environmental concerns. The other new law required oil and gas companies to minimize the impact of exploration and drilling on wildlife and their habitat.
The letter says new rules developed by the commission, the Department of Public Health and Environment and the Division of Wildlife “create unnecessary layers of bureaucracy.”
“As written, the draft rules are unacceptable,” says the letter, circulated this week by Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Yuma, and Sen. Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction.
Also signing the letter were Republican Reps. Jerry Sonnenberg of Sterling, Rob Witwer of Genesee, Frank McNulty of Highlands Ranch and Steve King of Grand Junction; Democratic Rep. Wes McKinley of Walsh; GOP Sens. Greg Brophy of Wray, Ted Harvey of Highlands Ranch and Jack Taylor of Steamboat Springs; and Democratic Sen. Jim Isgar of Hesperus.
The House and Senate agriculture committees are planning to meet tomorrow with the oil and gas commission.
