GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.—State Rep. Kathleen Curry says she’ll sponsor a bill next year to clarify the Legislature’s intent when it approved an overhaul of oil and gas regulations.
The Democrat from Gunnison, speaking at a public hearing on the regulations Tuesday, said she believes the new rules proposed by state regulators exceeded what lawmakers had in mind.
The oil and gas industry has made similar complaints. Industry representatives have said the rules go further than lawmakers intended when they directed that more attention be given to the impacts on public health, wildlife and the environment.
They’ve also voiced concern that the new rules will drive up costs and lessen the industry’s interest in Colorado.
“I think that it snowballed into what you see now in the proposed rules,” said Curry, a sponsor of one of two bills mandating an update of the oil and gas regulations.
Some proponents of revamping the rules think the proposals aren’t tough enough considering the state’s record natural gas drilling rates.
The Colorado Wildlife Commission passed a resolution in May saying the proposed rules establish the minimum levels of protection for wildlife amid the state’s natural gas boom. Members said stronger safeguards are needed in some cases.
The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, the main regulatory body, plans another public hearing on the rules June 23 in Denver. The commission will take testimony from industry and environmental groups and others before voting on the rules in mid-August.
State Sen. Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction, said he hopes the commission will heed warnings that there needs to be balance. He said the legislation passed last year wasn’t meant to lead to the level of revision the commission is considering.
“It was not a blank check,” Penry said.
The legislation specified protections for health, air and water quality and wildlife, and the rules fall under that, said Deb Frazier, spokeswoman for the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, which oversees the commission.
“Both the Legislature and Gov. Bill Ritter recognized that Colorado was at the start of a massive energy boom and wanted to balance oil and gas development with protection of public health, drinking water and wildlife,” Frazier said.
The state issued a record 6,368 drilling permits last year, six times the total in 1999. State officials say it’s likely a new record will be set this year.
Lisa Bracken said she’s disappointed that some legislators appear to backing down from the proposed rules, which she believes aren’t strong enough.
“These rules are in direct proportion to the damage that’s already been done because of lack of regulation,” said Bracken, who lives near Silt in western Colorado.
Bracken said she has already seen the effects of energy development on a large elk herd that has wintered in the area for years. She said the animals have been displaced from some of their normal places.
“I live at ground zero,” Bracken. “We see the effects and they’re real.”
