The controversial new rules for oil and gas drilling in Colorado won final approval in the legislature Wednesday, and one industry advocate said his organization is already considering filing a lawsuit over the rules.
The state Senate gave the last approval needed in the legislature by a 21-13 party-line vote. The rules now need only the signature of Gov. Bill Ritter, who has defended them, before going into effect next month.
Senate Republicans bashed the rules, saying they are overly burdensome on an important industry in Colorado.
“The governor’s rules will kill jobs and hurt energy production at a time when we need more of both,” said Senate Minority Leader Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction.
Democrats said improving infrastructure to carry Colorado natural gas to more valuable markets, as Ritter has proposed, will do far more to help the industry than tweaking a few regulations.
“The real challenge to the industry right now is not the rules but the price of gas,” said Sen. Chris Romer, D-Denver.
Meanwhile, Stan Dempsey, the president of the Colorado Petroleum Association, said association members are currently reviewing the administrative record to determine whether they have grounds to file a lawsuit over the rules.
