Monday, August 01, 2011
The Pueblo Chieftain, Colo.
by Patrick Malone
Gov. John Hickenlooper announced eight appointments Friday to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. Two are reappointments.
Republicans criticized the omission of representation from the Eastern Plains, but expressed optimism that Hickenlooper's appointees will be more friendly to the oil and gas industry than the commission was under former Gov. Bill Ritter.
"There is no representation on there from Eastern Colorado," said Rep. Jon Becker, R-Fort Morgan, whose district includes parts of Southeastern Colorado. "Without representation from Eastern Colorado, we leave out a whole region of the state that is very important to oil and gas. The governor overlooked that. He should have made at least one appointment from the Eastern Plains. There are plenty of qualified people there to serve on this commission," Becker said.
Hickenlooper has often said he supports common-sense changes to regulation of the oil and gas industry in Colorado. A favorite example of the governor's is the water-treatment rule that many ranchers and gas companies agree creates unnecessary expense for drilling operations in the Raton Basin near Trinidad.
Becker said he is optimistic the new commission will tackle regulations with an eye on spurring business and be more mindful of the economic impact of its decisions than the commission was under Ritter.
Environmental groups said they will keep a watchful eye on the new commission.
"Gov. Hickenlooper has repeatedly said he would 'strike the right balance' in overseeing the oil and gas industry," said Elise Jones, executive director of the Colorado Environmental Coalition. "The jury is still very much out as to whether this set of appointments meets that important standard or whether instead the balance has shifted away from protecting Colorado's air, water, wildlife and communities from the impact of drilling."
Hickenlooper said he feels assured that his mix of appointees will address the competing interests of business and the environment.
"Different voices and a united spirit of collaboration are key to the success of the commission," the governor said. "We are confident this group will serve the industry, land owners and the environment well as it navigates through issues that are important to both the state's economy and the protection of Colorado's beautiful landscapes."
Hickenlooper appointed eight new commissions to replace those whose terms expired July 1. The appointees are subject to Senate confirmation. Their four-year terms expire July 1, 2015.
Copyright (c) 2011, The Pueblo Chieftain, Colo.
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