Colorado Noise - Letters to the COGCC

Colorado landowners ask COGCC to lower the noise.

Read some of their letters:

• "There is no question that it is technically and economically feasible to operate the machinery the industry uses at these lower sound intensity levels. In my work for the National Science Foundation as a Design Engineer, I have been called on to create remote power systems for deployment in sensitive environments. In my experience, the noise attenuation for a power system would typically add only a few thousand dollars to the overall cost of a project. . . There are many challenges to create a system of regulation acceptable to Landowners and the industry alike. I do not envy your task. Still, noise is one that is relatively easy to address, and a good place to start. . . "
  - Tracy Dahl  (Read the entire letter)
  
• "First, we would like to thank you for your December, 2005 ruling, mandating 45 dba nighttime noise levels. This was a very positive and welcome ruling to those of us who live in rural communities. It is unfortunate the issue has to be revisited again. . . Noise is very much one of the main conflicts between landowners and the oil and gas industry. Noise from operations destroys the quiet and beauty of the area. Limiting the noise levels will help preserve the quality of life in the area. It will also go a long way towards showing that the industry can be a good corporate neighbor. . ."
  - Mark and Alice Palmer (Read the entire letter)
  
• "I am a 4th generation Las Animas County resident. . .I have a passion for this land. . .The land has been taken over by the quest for the wealth that lies beneath it. . . I have even had discussion with oil and gas employees who are very sad on the current state of affairs. They tell me of their plight, they are torn between what is ethical, moral and right and the need to feed and cloth their families by following their employers mandates. The industry knows what it is doing is not right, it can be done better. . .If you will take the time to go to the recent EDGAR filing for Pioneer Natural Resources and read their presentation at the Lehman Brothers Energy Conference you will see what their intent and profit really is. They are touting a 30% Internal Rate of Return on the activity in the Raton Basin. . . I believe with the amount of revenue they will produce from Las Animas County they can well afford to do what a good 'Corporate Citizen' should. . ."
  - Tom and Anne Parise (Read the entire letter)
  
• "I understand the country needs energy sources, and despite the travesty of severed estate laws, I am not even opposed to energy development. However, the current CBM development going on in Colorado has all the signs of a gold rush mentality. I believe CBM can be developed responsibly, without trashing the environment, or disregarding the lives of the people who live in these rural areas. Noise complaints are among the most common complaints about the industry, and one of the easiest issues to address. . ."
  - Amy Dahl (Read the entire letter)

For More Information

• Write your own letter asking the COGCC to uphold its Dec. 2005 decision to lower the night-time noise level to 45 decibels.  TAKE ACTION NOW.
  
• Recommended changes to the Colorado noise rule - a submission to the COGCC for consideration at the September, 2005 noise hearing.  It contains information on the costs and benefits of reducing noise, as well as examples of other jurisdictions that have stringent oil and gas noise regulations.
  
• Information on noise abatement costs provided at the December, 2005 COGCC noise hearing

Other useful links:

• Read about how the new Colorado Noise Rule benefits landowners. 
  
• Read general information on oil and gas noise.
  
• Read recent new articles on the Colorado noise rule.