Government & Politics  May 29, 2019

Broomfield passes oil, gas moratorium in face of industry opposition

BROOMFIELD — The Broomfield City Council unanimously approved a measure Tuesday evening that puts a six-month pause on the approval of new oil and gas drilling permits.

The moratorium, which was opposed by energy industry groups, is meant to allow regulators with the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to codify new statewide drilling and permitting rules. That rulemaking process was established by the recently passed oil and gas reform law Senate Bill 181.

“The new law grants local government more authority to regulate surface operations and nuisance impacts of oil and gas … than was previously allowed,” Broomfield city and county attorney Shaun Sullivan said. “… A six-month moratorium would allow the time to draft appropriate amendments [to city oil and gas policy] that would provide clarity and certainty to operators as to Broomfield’s requirements to protect health, safety and welfare of residents in their workplaces, homes, schools and public parks.”

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The COGCC’s rulemaking process could take up to a year and the Broomfield moratorium is in place until December.

“If [COGCC rulemaking] is done early, we could come out [of the moratorium] earlier,” Broomfield Mayor Randy Ahrens said. “If it takes until February of next year we would certainly extend it.”

The oil and gas industry opposed the moratorium in Broomfield, which is the seventh community in Colorado to implement such a measure.

“CPC and its member companies have always benefited in the past from a collaborative and engaging relationship with Broomfield and its impacted citizens,” Chris McGowne, associate director for the Colorado Petroleum Council, said during a public comment session held Tuesday prior to the city council’s vote.

Companies have historically taken a “pragmatic and problem-solving approach to oil and gas development in Broomfield and look forward to continuing that approach in the future,” he said.

However, the council’s support of a moratorium flies in the face of the spirit of SB-181, McGowne said. He cited recent comments by COGCC leaders who have spoken out against a statewide drilling or permitting moratorium while the commission is engaged in rulemaking.

“Numerous members of the public have asked me and asked the commission to immediately ban or put into place a moratorium on any and all new permits until all of the rules have been adopted,” newly appointed COGCC director Jeff Robbins said at a commission meeting earlier this month. “That, I believe, is contrary to the intent of Senate Bill 181.”

Addressing Broomfield leaders, McGowne said, “The only purpose of the moratorium would be to delay oil and gas development for as long a timeframe as possible.”

In a statement released after the Broomfield City Council approved the moratorium, Colorado Petroleum Council executive director Lynn Granger said, “We are disappointed that Broomfield City Council has chosen to impose a moratorium on new energy development. Its decision is misguided and harmful to our state.”

She added: “Our industry prioritizes public health and safety and continues to take proactive measures to ensure that energy development is done safely and responsibly in collaboration with the priorities of Colorado communities. Nothing about Senate Bill 181 has changed our industry’s leadership role in environmental stewardship.”

 

BROOMFIELD — The Broomfield City Council unanimously approved a measure Tuesday evening that puts a six-month pause on the approval of new oil and gas drilling permits.

The moratorium, which was opposed by energy industry groups, is meant to allow regulators with the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to codify new statewide drilling and permitting rules. That rulemaking process was established by the recently passed oil and gas reform law Senate Bill 181.

“The new law grants local government more authority to regulate surface operations and nuisance impacts of oil and gas … than…

Ken Amundson
Ken Amundson is managing editor of BizWest. He has lived in Loveland and reported on issues in the region since 1987. Prior to Colorado, he reported and edited for news organizations in Minnesota and Iowa. He's a parent of two and grandparent of four, all of whom make their homes on the Front Range. A news junkie at heart, he also enjoys competitive sports, especially the Rapids.
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