New Oil and Gas Rules for Colorado

DENVER (April 22, 2009) - Governor Ritter today signed into law new rules for oil and gas development in Colorado. Several years ago the new rules were just a vision of Dennis Beuchler of the Colorado Wildlife Federation and Bob Elderkin of the Colorado Mule Deer Foundation, who were fed up with witnessing the irreperable harm Colorado's energy boom was having on wildlife and wildlands. After gaining the support of more than 70 hunting, fishing and outdoor organizations the new rules were introduced into the Colorado legislature. The new regulations will update 30 year old public health, water and wildlife protections for oil and gas drilling.

History

In 2007, the Colorado State Legislature passed a key bill requiring the Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) to write new rules with the Colorado Dept of Public Health and the Division of Wildlife to better protect wildlife and the general public during oil and gas operations.

After an 18-month rulemaking marathon, Colorado adopted the most comprehensive state oil and gas drilling regulations in the nation on December 11th, 2008.

The 177 pages of rules — aimed at better managing oil and gas development, protecting wildlife, and reducing impacts on people living near drilling operations — were passed unanimously by the state's Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. Among the protections the regulations impose are:

• A 300-foot no-drill buffer around streams used for drinking-water supplies.
• Controls on odors and dust on operations within a quarter-mile of homes in Garfield, Mesa and Rio Blanco counties — all major areas for natural- gas development.
• A requirement that drillers consult with the state Division of Wildlife on mitigation plans if they drill in designated wildlife areas.

On Friday, March 13th, the Colorado State House passed the new oil and gas rules by a vote of 50-13. Then on Wednesday, March 25th, the Colorado State Senate passed the new rules by a vote of 21-13. The bill took effect on April 1st.

Why do we need these rules?

• Colorado issued a record 6,368 drilling permits last year, six times the 1999 number, and state officials say more than 7,000 could be approved this year. Tens of thousands of new gas wells are expected on federal land alone over the next 20 years.
• Just one year ago, 1.2 million gallons of drilling mud - a cocktail of oil and chemicals - created a serious health hazard in what is known as the Garden Gulch Spill.
• From January of 2003 to March 2008 there were 1,549 spills or seepage incidents in Colorado.

Read the Final Rules