Colorado Restricts Drilling

Colorado's Oil and Gas Conservation Commission has clamped down on drilling in the state, particularly around sensitive habitats. The booming energy industry in the state is fighting the decision.

1 minute read

December 24, 2008, 7:00 AM PST

By Tim Halbur


"Developed after nearly 18 months of deliberation, including scores of public hearings, the regulations are highly specific on some points. One provision, for instance, requires companies extracting natural gas from certain coal seams to treat their water pits so as not to attract mosquitoes that could transmit West Nile virus to pregnant sage grouse.

Industry officials and environmentalists agree that no other state has introduced such rigorous controls on the oil and gas industry. But there is wide disagreement on the impact.

Michael Saul, an attorney for the National Wildlife Federation, said the regulations will ensure, for the first time, 'a voice for wildlife concerns' in the permit process without affecting 'the pace or intensity of development.' He hopes other states will follow suit.

Ken Wonstolen, an attorney for the Colorado Oil and Gas Association, said the regulations allow too much meddling, delay an already-slow permitting process and in general add 'a whole new set of burdensome regulation.'"

Tuesday, December 23, 2008 in The Wall St. Journal

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