A goal for the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to have established new rules for oil and gas drilling is looking less likely with each fruitless hearing.
"Colorado continues to struggle to find a compromise strong enough to prevent the unraveling of an uneasy truce on oil and gas drilling in populated areas," according to an article by Aldo Svaldi.
Rule-making hearings by the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) stalled last week, according to Svaldi, after 14 months of work toward determining "which drilling projects will fall under the scrutiny of the new rules, whether state regulators have the power to limit the length of time drilling occurs, and whether the regulations as proposed are meaningful or necessary."
The potential regulation pits oil and gas companies against local governments and other stakeholders. Svaldi details a few examples of the approximately 100 rules the COGCC has considered during the rule-making process. Two critical concepts that have proven difficult to resolve: 1) what size operation constitutes large-scale and 2) what parts of the state should be defined as urban mitigation areas.
Another issue complicating the discussions are local governments (Weld and Garfield counties, specifically) concerned that new rules would be duplicative of existing local controls and even, potentially, a power grab by the state.
FULL STORY: Colorado oil, gas rule-making hearings hang up on giving all a voice
American Jobs to Build Electric Vehicles Excludes Miners
Mining jobs needed to produce the metals for processing into battery parts used to build electric vehicles in America will not be developed in the U.S. but in Australia, Brazil and Canada, mainly to avoid battles with environmentalists.
Energy and Environmental Regulations Under Attack—by Congress
Two environmental regulations enacted by the Obama Administration are expected to be rescinded under the Congressional Review Act: the Stream Protection Rule that protects water from mountaintop coal mining and limits on flaring methane emissions.
Western Conservationists, Tribes File Legal Motion to Defend Public Lands Rule
Some states and industry groups have sued to stop the Bureau of Land Management from enforcing the new rule, which promotes the conservation and restoration of public lands and shifts focus away from extractive uses.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
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Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service