DENVER—More than a dozen lawmakers on Monday asked Gov. Bill Ritter to delay implementing oil and gas rules scheduled to go into effect next month, saying the new rules will wreak havoc with jobs at a time when the state is reeling from economic losses.
“Governor, don’t do this,” begged Rep. Steve King, a Republican from Grand Junction, an area that has been hit hard by the downturn in the oil and gas industry.
The 14 Republicans and a Democrat also sent a letter to Ritter, warning that the new rules have made the industry uneasy.
“As members of the General Assembly we hear from constituents who are frightened because they have lost their jobs or because they fear they will soon join the ranks of the unemployed. … Please join us in taking action to help these Coloradans. Join us in trying to keep jobs here in Colorado,” the lawmakers said in a letter to the governor.
Ritter’s spokesman, Evan Dreyer, said the governor has no intention of delaying the rules.
“We all want a healthy oil and gas industry, a health economy, healthy communities and a healthy environment,” Dreyer said. “We feel strongly we can have an industry that is sustainable and compatible with these goals.”
Opponents said unemployment in the oil and gas patches is soaring, up 85 percent in Garfield County, 79 percent in Mesa County and 25 percent in Weld County over the past year. They said Ritter promised to put people to work, not crack down on thriving businesses.
“Instead of jobs by June, we’re getting unemployment by April,” said Rep. Larry Liston, R-Colorado Springs.
Environmentalists oppose any delay, saying oil and gas drilling is hurting air and water quality and any delays will hurt the state’s $10 billion a year tourism industry. They said the rules have not gone into effect and they’re already being blamed for job losses.
“The harm in delay is that there is already an impact on air and water quality from oil and gas drilling,” said Matt Garrington, spokesman for Environment Colorado.
The new rules were designed to give more weight to public health, the environment and property rights when state regulators consider issuing drilling permits. They are scheduled for debate Thursday in the House.
Last week, the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Legal Services approved 98 of 100 rules drafted by the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to regulate industry after supporters said they’re needed to protect Colorado’s quality of life.
Dave Neslin, the oil and gas commission’s acting director, said the commission is already training industry employees on the rules and they are expected to go into effect April 1 as scheduled.
