2007 Press Releases

The Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission to Adopt New Rules for 2008

Pursuant to HB 1298 and HB 1341, both passed in the 2007 legislative session, the COGCC is working with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Division of Wildlife to promulgate new rules regulating oil and gas activities across the state.  The two bills mandate the agencies to develop new rules that will protect public health, the environment , and wildlife by July 1, 2008.

The process wil include a series of stakeholder meetings in Denver that will involve the industry, government representatives and wildlife and environmental groups.  These group meetings are an attempt to hash out some of the issues prior to the agencies developing specific draft rules for which the public are invited to submit comments. 

To see a schedule for stakeholder meetings click here.

The process also includes a series of public meetings that will be held by the agencies across the state.  These meetings are intended to provide the public with information regarding the process and to hear comment from those who wish to speak to the agency representatives.  All interested folks around the state are encouraged to go to these meetings. 

To see a schedule of the public meetings click here.

The agencies released a first draft proposal at the end of November in 2007.  To view this proposal click here.  OGAP submitted comments on this first draft proposal in December 2007.  To view these comments click here.  We also have talking points for submitting personal comments and up-to-date information on the process.  Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions at renee@ogap.org or 970-259-3353 x3.

Get Involved Now!!!  You can help by:
· Attending the Public Hearings in January in one or more of the following locations:  Parachute, Greeley, Wray, Durango or Trinidad.  See the meeting schedule and suggested talking points below.  Meetings will be held January 3rd through January 18th.
· Submitting written comments.  COGCC will take written comments but it is imperative that individuals turn out to the public meetings and make their voices heard in person as well. Submit written comments online or to the address below.  Feel free to use the suggested talking points, but be sure to personalize these comments by describing where you live, how oil and gas impacts you and why the State should act now to implement protective public health & wildlife rules.  

Submit comments to -- COGCC Rulemaking; c/o Department of Natural Resources; 1313 Sherman St., Rm 718; Denver, CO 80203 or email comments t  dnr.ogcc@state.co.us or submit comments on-line at:  http://oil-gas.state.co.us/RuleMaking/Comments/Comment.cfm

Talking Points
Tell the COGCC that new rules must:

Require full disclosure of all chemicals used in oil and gas  production.  Industry should be required to make public the full chemical make-up of their products including the volumes and concentrations of the chemicals used during oil and gas operations.  Many Coloradoans live near drill rigs, well pads, pits, intense oil-field traffic and a variety of other exploration and production facilities.  Without mandatory and full disclosure of chemicals used in drilling, stimulation, completion and other products, residents have no way of knowing what kind of chemicals they may be exposed to in their air, soil or water.  Chemicals can enter the environment from drilling practices and through spills and accidents.  Coloradoans deserve to know what the industry is using.

Collect data, initiate health studies, monitor air, water and soil, and establish advisory committees in a manner that is designed to prevent health impacts from oil and gas development, not simply Òreview available literature and assess the need for follow-up studies.Ó  Currently, little specific data exists regarding the long-term health risks associated with oil and gas field chemicals and activities. Yet, those of us living with oil and gas development know that the industry is releasing hazardous chemicals in our air, water and soil.  We ought to take a cumulative and precautionary approach to the health effects of oil and gas development, by conducting the appropriate studies and monitoring activities now.

Include local governments, surface owners and adjacent property owners in the consultation process and do so by preserving local authority to regulate oil and gas impacts. Local governments can play a critical role in ensuring that oil and gas development is done right.  New rules must ensure that consultation requirements for local government, surface owners and adjacent landowners are strengthened and respect any stronger notice and consultation requirements that local governments may already have in place.

Prevent and reduce oil and gas impacts by requiring  Comprehensive Development Plans, closed loop/pitless drilling systems, greater setback from homes and other domestic/public structures, and greater attention to noise issues, and prohibiting on-site burial of oil and gas waste,

Hold industry accountable by increasing bonding and reducing time frames for reclamation. Bonding should reflect the true cost of clean-up or reclamation so that surface owners and residents donÕt end up subsidizing those operators who abandon their well sites.  Time frames for reclamation ought to be reduced and rules regarding the removal of equipment, supplies and waste materials removed from locations must be strengthened and enforced. 

For More Information

Read OGAP's Alert on COGCC Rulemaking.

Sample letter to COGCC regarding Rulemaking.

Read OGAPs Comments on COGCC Pre-Draft Proposal.