Oil task force makes 9 recommendations; activists want statewide fracking ban

DENVER – Gov. John Hickenlooper’s oil and natural-gas task force on Tuesday evening voted to recommend proposals to bolster local control of oil and gas operations for consideration by the state Legislature.

The 21-member task force, formed by the governor in September, developed 56 proposals in all. In the end, task force members selected nine proposals for lawmakers to consider during the remaining portion of the legislative session.

Hickenlooper established the task force to recommend ways to reduce land-use conflicts related to oil and gas facilities around homes, schools, businesses and recreation areas. Creation of the task force headed off ballot initiatives backed by U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo., that would have restricted oil and gas development.

Oil and gas industry representatives praised the task force’s work, while activist and environmental groups criticized the panel’s recommendations as lacking substance.

After listening to residents’ concerns from Durango to Greeley during the past five months, task force members’ recommendations “lack the substance needed to protect Coloradans and our environment from drilling and fracking,” said Pete Maysmith, executive director of Conservation Colorado, in a statement. Tuesday’s outcome “had some gravy, but forgot the meat and potatoes.”

The task force’s proposals included suggestions for increased collaboration between cities and the state, enhancing the role of local government designees that serve as liaisons between the state and cities and hiring more state oil and gas inspectors. Task force members also asked that state agencies create a working group to find ways to reduce oil and gas truck traffic.

Another recommendation asks the Legislature to establish a “compliance assistance program to help operators comply with complicated and ever-changing operating rules and policies.”

Tisha Schuller, president of the Colorado Oil & Gas Association, praised the task force’s work for seeking to address local governments’ needs as the state considers granting drilling permits to oil companies.

“Today the task force recommended changes that will enhance the role of local governments,” Schuller said. “The recommendation will allow conflicts to be worked out earlier.”

Also Tuesday, activists launched a new organization, Coloradans Against Fracking, backed by Washington, D.C.,-based Food & Water Watch. The coalition of activist groups urged Hickenlooper to ban hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, as it contended the task force did not go far enough in its recommendations. Fracking involves pumping water, sand and chemicals deep underground to release oil and gas from dense rock formations.

Hickenlooper is unlikely to initiate such a ban, and activists did not rule out launching a ballot initiative asking voters to pass a ban.

“All options are on the table for how we get to a ban on fracking,” said Sam Schabacker, Mountain West Region director for Food & Water Watch.

In a statement, Hickenlooper commended the task force’s volunteer work to reach agreement on minimizing property conflicts.

“They made undeniable progress for all of Colorado today and we are extremely grateful for their work,” he said. “We have not rested in addressing the tough issues that come with balancing quality of life with an important and thriving industry.”

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