GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.—Some environmental groups are asking oil and gas regulators to increase distances between drilling rigs and homes and schools.
Western Resource Advocates, the Western Colorado Congress, and the San Juan Citizens Alliance told the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission on Wednesday that to better protect better health and safety, they want rigs to be at least 1,000 feet from homes and 1,500 feet from homes, schools, hospitals and similar facilities. Today, rigs must be 350 feet from schools in high-density areas.
Colorado Petroleum Association President Stan Dempsey tells The Daily Sentinel ( ) the groups are getting ahead of a process in which the commission is holding meetings for stakeholders to discuss the issue.
Commission staff say 74 percent of wells they’ve reviewed since 2009 are 1,000 feet from buildings.
———
Information from: The Daily Sentinel,
