Senate Bill
For over 30 years, whenever even modest legislation or regulation has been put forward that would strengthen oil and gas policy in Colorado and hold industry accountable for its impacts, this refrain has been caterwauled. While these histrionics have saved the industry money by not having to come up with new ideas, it has also been proven not to be true.
The industry has thrived in Colorado under every regulation it claimed would spell its demise. This is a bill of rectification. It brings long-overdue reform that will empower local governments, communities and people; it changes the COGCC mandate from “foster” development of oil and gas to “regulate” development; it clearly states that protecting the “public health, safety and welfare” are valid reasons for considering whether or not development should occur.
Addressing these issues establishes a structure in which the oil and gas industry is finally treated like any other industry, which is both overdue and only fair.
Josh Joswick
Bayfield
