WASHINGTON — The Bush administration should not take steps toward mining oil shale until effects on water, animals and the climate are known, Gov. Bill Ritter told a Senate panel Thursday.
“We must be thoughtful and responsible about our approach,” the Democratic governor told the Senate Energy Committee. “I have serious concerns about the pace of federal efforts.”
Oil shale could be key to expanding the nation’s domestic energy supplies, Republicans argue. Two oil company executives at the hearing also urged Congress to take new steps toward oil-shale extraction.
About 80 percent of shale supplies are believed to be in Colorado, mainly on the Western Slope. Additional deposits are in Utah and Wyoming.
The fight over how to handle oil-shale development pits Republicans and oil companies against Democrats, conservationists, and some sporting and hunting groups.
As Ritter testified, Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., worked to revoke limitations on shale leasing enacted last year. The amendment passed in December bans the administration from issuing oil-shale regulations or leases through the end of this fiscal year.
Allard’s amendment to revoke the current moratorium failed 15-14 after Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo., persuaded Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., to vote against it.
Ritter and Salazar said they do not oppose shale extraction, but they argue that even as the administration pushes to issue oil-shale regulations, it cannot say how much energy or water will be used to mine it.
At the hearing, Allard and Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said that companies will not invest in oil-shale development unless they know the government’s terms for extracting it.
Salazar, during questioning of witnesses, asked an administration representative what was the earliest that oil shale could be removed.
“2015 and beyond,” said C. Stephen Allred, Interior Department assistant secretary for land and minerals management.
“So, whatever happens here will not have any impact on oil supplies?” Salazar said.
“Not on supplies, no,” Allred said.
Anne C. Mulkern: 202-662-8907 or amulkern@denverpost.com
