The controversial proposed new rules for oil and gas drilling in Colorado moved a step closer to being implemented Thursday when the state House of Representatives signed off on them after a furious debate.
For four hours, Democrats and Republicans shot verbal arrows at one another on the House floor, with Democrats arguing that the rules are needed to protect the environment and public health and Republicans firing back that the rules are too much of a burden on one of the state’s largest industries and will put people out of work.
“I think this will protect the quality of life in gas-development areas,” said Rep. Kathleen Curry, D-Gunnison.
“They’re going to pass on rules that will put people out of jobs and are putting people out of jobs,” countered Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Yuma.
The measure implementing the rules — House Bill 1292 — passed on an informal, unrecorded voice vote, though votes on key amendments largely split down party lines with the exception of Rep. Wes McKinley, D-Walsh, who often voted with Republicans. The bill still needs a formal, recorded vote in the House before moving over to the state Senate.
The rules are the product of a nearly two-year-long process, started when the legislature passed bills in 2007 instructing the state to create greater protections for wildlife and public health in the face of a drilling boom that has since subsided. The rules impose a number of new requirements on drillers, from taking extra steps not to disturb wildlife to using better practices to prevent toxic chemical spills.
Since their inception, the rules have been debated tirelessly at the Capitol and in sometimes byzantine detail. But at their heart, they are really about simple conflicts.
Keith Goddard of Rifle runs a business taking hunters on trips into Garfield County’s Roan Plateau. He says he believes current oil and gas drilling has changed some animals’ migration patterns. And he fears further development, if not better regulated, will drive hunters away from his business.
“Everybody can co-exist,” he said. “But the oil and gas companies have been able to do whatever they please. And the wildlife takes a back seat to it.”
Meanwhile, Rob Cose, who works for a construction company in Grand Junction that does utility work in the gas patch, said businesses across the Western Slope are already suffering from the decline of the drilling boom.
Drill rigs in Colorado have dropped by nearly 50 percent since last summer. And while all sides say the bad economy has a lot to do with that, Cose said oil and gas companies have begun eyeing the new rules when making investment decisions.
“We’re seeing major issues with all the businesses, not just the ones directly involved with oil and gas,” Cose said. “You have cafes that are struggling because people aren’t spending money.”
Much of Thursday’s debate centered on complicated procedural questions such as whether property owners should be able to waive wildlife protections on their land.
Republicans also unsuccessfully tried to delay for one year implementation of the rules, most of which are set to go into effect next month if the legislature approves them.
John Ingold: 303-954-1068 or jingold@denverpost.com
