Category Archives: Energy Policy

Gov. Hickenlooper fails to fine company responsible for toxic Parachute spill

12
  by: checks-and-balances Thu May 16, 2013 at 2:12 PM MDT

(Promoted by Colorado Pols)

Yesterday, Gov. Hickenlooper’s department of public health and environment (CDPHE) announced that they won’t levy fines against Williams Cos. for spilling 10,000 barrels of natural gas and toxic waste into Parachute Creek and the surrounding area in western Colorado.

Earlier this month, the Governor lobbied to water-down legislation to toughen fines for oil and gas companies who pollute, despite Colorado’s well-documented problem of spills, and lowest in the nation fines. The Governor’s actions ultimately led to the death of the legislation.

The Parachute spill, which occurred in the winter but wasn’t reported until the spring, has polluted water with cancer-causing benzene. In early May, benzene levels in the creek exceeded the federal safe drinking water standard. 

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Full story: Gov. Hickenlooper fails to fine company responsible for toxic Parachute spill

Will Hickenlooper Sign Senate Bill 252?

14
  by: Colorado Pols Thu May 16, 2013 at 7:58 AM MDT

It's one of the last remaining questions from this year's legislative session, reports FOX 31's Eli Stokols:

On Tuesday, Hickenlooper met with both Vestas, the world’s largest wind turbine manufacturer that has several facilities in Colorado and supports the measure, and with Tri-States Generation and Transmission, which provides electricity to 18 state energy co-ops and has been the bill’s most outspoken opponent.

After those meetings, Hickenlooper’s Chief Strategist Alan Salazar told FOX31 Denver that the governor is “still gathering information.”

…S.B. 252 would require rural co-ops with more than 100,000 meters, and utilities that generate and supply electricity on behalf of member co-ops, to get 20 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2020.

The Longmont Times-Call reports from last night's anti-252 rally in Johnson's Corner:

A rally at a windy parking lot behind the landmark Johnson's Corner Café and Truck Stop in Johnstown late Wednesday drew about 40 local residents and a half dozen lawmakers who fought against the bill.

Members of the General Assembly from Larimer and Weld counties, all of them on the short ends of votes that sent the measure to the governor's desk, took turns at a microphone on a flatbed trailer to fire up the small crowd, telling them their messages needed to reach the governor.

The Durango Herald's Joe Hanel:

The company that supplies coal-powered electricity to rural Colorado is waging a media campaign to try to convince Gov. John Hickenlooper to veto a renewable-energy bill.

It’s the biggest political advertising blitz since last fall’s election, and it included a full-page ad and half-page ad Sunday in The Durango Herald…

In one of the most controversial claims in the ads in the Herald, Tri-State says complying with the bill will cost billions of dollars.

“Senate Bill 252 would impose billions [Pols emphasis] in increased electricity costs on rural Colorado consumers and individuals,” the ad says.

What does this even mean?

What does this even mean?

Like so many other issues this legislative session, the rhetoric over Senate Bill 252 has escalated to an over-the-top fever pitch, to the point where opponents seem to be relying on arguments that aren't intended to persuade Gov. John Hickenlooper, or for that matter any rational person–it seems more to fire up the conservative base with even more hyperbolic nonsense stories of impending doom wrought by Democrats this year.

Some might interpret a shift to the irrational from opponents as evidence that Hickenlooper isn't buying it.

Gov. Hickenlooper has been widely criticized, even in the context of a session where liberal Democrats were made very happy, for his deliberate work to undo numerous oil and gas reform bills this year. Signing Senate Bill 252, what is in fact a moderate increase in the renewable mix for large rural co-op utilities, won't invalidate the criticism that Hickenlooper has richly earned on this issue–but it would give him something affirmative to point to in response to it. From a purely political perspective, it would seem rather pointless for Hickenlooper to bow to a minority of hysterical voices and veto SB-252. Critics of SB-252 aren't going to support Hickenlooper no matter what he decides, so there's no political gain from again poking environmental groups in the eye.

Many sources have told us that Hickenlooper has been personally stung by the criticism he has received from his positions on fracking. We think this is a chance he should, and probably will take to walk some of that back.


Full story: Will Hickenlooper Sign Senate Bill 252?

Gov. Hickenlooper’s ‘order’ to oil and gas commission to review fines an empty gesture

4
  by: checks-and-balances Fri May 10, 2013 at 1:03 PM MDT

**crossposted at Checks and Balances Project

Recently, Gov. Hickenlooper put on a masterful show of playing a politician who cares about Coloradans. Unfortunately, it was just an act to distract from the fact that Gov. Hickenlooper successfully killed efforts to set mandatory minimum fines and increase caps on fines for oil and gas companies that pollute.  

After killing these measures, aimed at holding polluters accountable, Gov. Hickenlooper put out a press release ordering his oil and gas commission to ‘review enforcement, fines.’ In other words, he directed his commission to take a look into their abysmal record and get back to him. That’s not leadership, it was an empty gesture to cover his tracks.

Gov. Hickenlooper’s press release won't strengthen Colorado’s woefully outdated laws, which include the lowest fines in the nation for polluters.  And it’s doubtful that the governor’s oil and gas commission, which includes oil and gas industry employees, will suddenly become proficient at holding oil and gas polluters accountable. An analysis by the Denver Post found that Colorado rarely fines oil and gas companies who pollute. According to the Coloradoan, less than 7 percent of industry violations since 1996 have resulted in fines.

Last year, the industry reported 402 spills, of which 20 percent contaminated water. Six companies alone accounted for 85 percent of all the spills that contaminated groundwater – Anadarko, Noble Energy, Encana, PDC Energy, WPX Energy and Pioneer Natural Resources.

Not only are polluters not held accountable, but Gov. Hickenlooper has routinely rewarded some of the biggest oil and gas polluters in the state. In 2010 and 2011, Noble Energy caused more spills than any other operator in Colorado – 126.  Yet, Hickenlooper’s oil and gas commission gave Noble an ‘Outstanding Operator’ award.

Gov. Hickenlooper also gave Anadarko an ‘Outstanding Operator’ award in 2011, while last year, Anadarko subsidy Kerr-McGee was linked to 70 spills – more than any other operator – of which, 38 percent resulted in water contamination. With these awards, Gov. Hickenlooper has once again made it clear that he isn’t that interested in holding oil and gas companies accountable when they pollute.

Gov. Hickenlooper used the power of his office to kill stronger standards that would have held the oil and gas industry accountable when they pollute. He chose to put the interests of the industry ahead of what’s best for Colorado families and that’s a shame. Now, Gov. Hickenlooper is insulting Coloradans by acting as the concerned politician.

 


Full story: Gov. Hickenlooper’s ‘order’ to oil and gas commission to review fines an empty gesture

Denver Post Not Fooled by Hick’s Late Fracking Move

15
  by: Colorado Pols Fri May 10, 2013 at 10:53 AM MDT

The editorial board of the Denver Post weighs in today on the legislature's failure to pass a bill that would have increased fines for oil and gas rules violations:

The bill that would have rewritten the fine structure, however, died on the issue of minimum mandatory daily fines. Sponsors could not muster the votes for the idea, which faced substantial opposition from industry and Gov. John Hickenlooper.

So, instead of compromising and accepting a bill without the minimums, the whole measure died. That shouldn't have happened…

…The governor's order that the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission address the fine structure is really more political cover than substantive policy change. [Pols emphasis]

This may all seem like inside baseball, but it has broader implications and is illustrative of the forces at work in shaping oil and gas regulation in Colorado. There must be fewer all-or-nothing battles and more realism and cooperation when it comes to industry regulation.

Fox 31's Eli Stokols reported earlier in the week that Hickenlooper badly wanted to see this bill move forward — albeit after his office lobbied heavily to make sure it was watered down — so that he could try to get out from the growing pile of accusations that he is doing the bidding of the oil and gas industry. It's not good for the Governor when Democratic lawmakers are openly questioning Hickenlooper's interference on all things fracking. Here's Fox 31 from Wednesday:

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Full story: Denver Post Not Fooled by Hick’s Late Fracking Move

“Overreach” is Overwrought. Give it a Rest.

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  by: Colorado Pols Wed May 8, 2013 at 3:06 PM MDT

There are 65 members of the Colorado House of Representatives, and 35 members of the Colorado State Senate. The Colorado legislature as a whole is a representative body, with each Senator representing about 143,691 constituents, and each House member standing for 77,372 Coloradans.

The Colorado Constitution outlines the makeup and duties of the state legislature, but it is a guarantee in the United States Constitution that every state shall have a republican form of government (with representatives elected by the people), rather than a direct democracy governed by the citizens.

Even Dawson doesn't cry this much.

Even Dawson didn’t cry as much as Colorado Republicans in 2013

Why the brief history lesson? As the legislature closes out its 2013 session, Republicans and some political pundits are busy accusing Colorado Democrats of "overreaching" for passing a lot of progressive pieces of legislation, yet they seem to forget that this "republican form of government" is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. Members of the Colorado legislature are elected by popular vote, the purpose of which is to see that the majority of Colorado citizens are not overruled by the minority. It is a logical extension of the process that the minority may not be happy with the results of an elected body chosen by the majority.

To put it bluntly, that's kind of the point. The system is working as designed.

But don't tell that to Colorado Republicans. Take this recent press release from the Colorado House Republicans titled: "ICYMI: Democrats continue to run up the score."

The posting from the House GOP quotes liberally from an April 28th story in the Denver Post, though they notably failed to quote the sillier parts of the story about a "marathon legislative session":

Rep. Frank McNulty of Highlands Ranch raced to the microphone and, in a thundering voice, accused Democrats of "doing a touchdown dance at the expense of the minority." [Pols emphasis]…

…Republicans have accused Democrats of "overreaching," waging war on rural Colorado and introducing bills to reward unions and trial lawyers while harming businesses.

Rep. Dan Pabon, D-Denver, disagrees.

"Overreaching? No," he said. "I think we've been listening to the people of Colorado and they've told us, 'We put you in charge and we want you to get something done.' "

Hey McNulty, ask Carly Simon if this is about you.

Hey McNulty, ask Carly Simon if this is about you.

Pabon is absolutely right here, and we've made the same argument before in this space. But before we get to that, let's examine how Republicans are so upset at the Democrats for continually beating them in elections that they think the 2013 legislative session is actually about them. To quote Carly Simon (no, seriously):

You're so vain, you probably think this song is about you

You're so vain, I'll bet you think this song is about you

Don't you? Don't You? Don't You?

There are many, many reasons why Republicans have never come close to regaining control of the state legislature since their surprise ouster in 2004, and their reaction to being steamrolled in 2013 is just another number on the list. Democrats are pushing ahead with progressive issues because Republicans don't do anything but get in the way. They don't offer reasonable amendments or attempt to debate in good faith — they just try to gum up the works and play procedural games. Anyone who has heard Republican Rep. Bob Gardner's version of a filibuster can understand what we mean here; Gardner just talks comically slow for as long as he can, his only goal to try to bore people into submission. Yet Republicans are annoyed when Democrats try to move things along and actually, you know, do their job?

Republicans call this "overreaching," and take it as a personal affront. But it's not about them, and it never was. It's about Democrats understanding that Colorado voters want them to lead; voters gave McNulty and the GOP a narrow majority in the House in 2010, and they promptly yanked it back from them two years later when it became clear that Republicans still have no intention of actually legislating.

Voters are tired of Republicans who can't figure out if they should still hate gay people. They're sick of Republicans who compare abortion to the Holocaust while everyone else is worried about schools and the economy. They're fed up with Republicans who persist with their ridiculous "Personhood" policy ideas that keep…getting…rejected…again…and again. "Personhood" isn't even about the issue anymore — it's a symbol of Republicans refusing to listen to even the most loudly shouted opinions of voters.

The simple truth of the 2013 session is this: Democrats were given a significant mandate from voters in 2012, and they are putting it to use. Some would say it is long overdue, and perhaps they learned their lesson from Congressional Democrats who did next to nothing with their 2008 mandate and then lost the House of Representatives in 2010. In fact, a closer look at the election results from the past decade tells a story that makes you wonder why Democrats waited so long to push harder on their agenda in the first place…

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Full story: “Overreach” is Overwrought. Give it a Rest.

Five things Gov. Hickenlooper did to put the oil & gas industry ahead of Colorado’s health and water

7
  by: checks-and-balances Wed May 8, 2013 at 1:18 PM MDT

John-Hickenlooper(Promoted by Colorado Pols)

Crossposted at the Checks and Balances Project.

Governor Hickenlooper likes to paint himself as an outsider, unfamiliar with the political process. But his recent actions to undermine public health, water safety – and basic common sense – have proven that Gov. Hickenlooper has become the ultimate insider – adept at helping his billion dollar oil and gas industry boosters cheat the rules, while playing the role of concerned official.

While Governor Hickenlooper has said the he’ll increase fines and hold polluters accountable, behind closed doors he’s actually been working hard to kill or weaken legislation aimed at doing just that.

Case in point: Governor Hickenlooper announces both his campaign for Colorado to be the healthiest state and safe drinking water week, then days later he successfully killed legislation to help protect water from toxic oil and gas spills. Here’s are the five things Gov. Hickenlooper did to put the public health and water of Coloradans at risk and to make it easier for oil and gas companies to pollute. 

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Full story: Five things Gov. Hickenlooper did to put the oil & gas industry ahead of Colorado’s health and water

Hick Spikes Wattenberg Water Testing Bill

4
  by: Colorado Pols Mon May 6, 2013 at 6:17 PM MDT

 FOX 31's Eli Stokols:

It’s been known for weeks that House Bill 1316, which would require oil and gas companies in the Greater Wattenburg Area to abide by the same groundwater testing regimes as the rest of the state, didn’t have much of a chance to pass the Senate.

On Monday, the Senate killed the measure when three Democrats joined Republicans in voting it down.

Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat, opposed the measure outright, arguing that the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission had voted unanimously in favor of the new water testing rules last year, rules he’s since heralded as the strongest and best in the country.

Environmental groups, irked by Hickenlooper’s opposition to much of their oil and gas legislation, noted that if the rule was indeed as strong as the governor says it is, the Greater Wattenburg Area should have to abide by it as well…

The other side of this argument is that the higher density of wells in this area should make water testing a higher priority–or at least no excuse to relax water testing standards simply because there is more drilling in the area. It's one of those things that really only seems possible as a result of lobbyist-imposed groupthink. A common sense look at the question tends to produce the opposite conclusion as the COGCC did.

But this year, Hickenlooper is getting what he wants when it comes to oil and gas bills. Right now, Hickenlooper has the political power to stop his fellow Democrats on this issue, and he is not being shy about wielding it.

As we've said, the political risks of opposing legislation that could make oil and gas exploration safer are nonetheless quite significant for Hickenlooper. The very direct chain of responsibility for something like drinking water contamination, and a bill to close a loophole granting an area an exemption from the water testing standard that applies to the rest of the state, is not something we would want in our political closets.

In very real terms, serious political problems are now just one headline away for "Gov. Frackenlooper."


Full story: Hick Spikes Wattenberg Water Testing Bill

Damn You and Your Cheap Gasoline!

8
  by: Colorado Pols Fri May 3, 2013 at 12:34 PM MDT

Source: AAA.com

Source: AAA.com

Republicans and their pals in the oil and gas industry have a bit of a problem: How do you blame President Obama for driving up energy prices in America when it's not actually happening?

From Politico:

The threat of $4-a-gallon gasoline is a fast-fading memory, forcing House Republicans to shift tactics as they continue to blame President Barack Obama’s policies for driving up Americans’ energy prices. Republicans' broad agenda is largely unchanged, anchored by the Keystone XL pipeline, expanded offshore drilling, a rollback of EPA regulations and other steps they say would offer relief for consumers. But unlike the past two years, the price at the pump isn’t cooperating this time.

Instead, spring gasoline prices are at their lowest point since 2010. And all signs point to the price continuing to drop to as low as $3.20 a gallon during the summer driving season — what used to be prime time for the GOP to pound its “drill, baby drill” theme on the House floor while Democrats fretted about the possible impact at the polls.

No President, Democrat or Republican, has the ability to alter gas prices one way or the other, and the industry (and perhaps even some Republicans) are well aware of this fact. Maybe it's time for some "Don't drill for awhile, baby," chants to begin.


Full story: Damn You and Your Cheap Gasoline!

Fracking’s “Fair Witness?”

20
  by: Colorado Pols Fri May 3, 2013 at 9:35 AM MDT

The Boulder Daily Camera's Joe Rubino reports on last night's talk by Gov. John Hickenlooper on "fracking" for oil and gas at the University of Colorado, hosted by Patty Limerick and CU's Center of the American West. Yesterday's presentation by Hickenlooper in this deferential academic setting nonetheless attracted a big crowd, including a few overly rowdy opponents of "fracking" who were reportedly escorted out. All of the questions for Gov. Hickenlooper were submitted in advance and read by Dr. Limerick.

The former geologist talked about his relationship to the oil and gas industry and how he seeks to be impartial in his decision making.

"I am constantly attacked now for being in the pocket of oil and gas, or somehow subservient to their philosophy or their wish," he said. "The Quakers have a term called 'fair witness,' someone who comes in and they don't have an ax to grind … and that is what I try to be."

Hickenlooper said the science on the impacts of fracking is far from settled, and the focus should be on getting "better, more persuasive facts." He said once there is an accepted set of facts about fracking, opponents and proponents will have a baseline for reasonable discussion and compromise.

Like we said, last night's presentation was not a debate. Dr. Limerick wasn't under any obligation to refute what Hickenlooper was saying, and the fact is, Limerick is by all accounts very close to CU's conservative President Bruce Benson. Whether or not the event was meant to be one-sided apologetics is for others to decide.

The context we can provide, unlike the moderator at yesterday's forum, for Gov. Hickenlooper's claim that he tries to be a "fair witness" on oil and gas issues, consists entirely of his own prior statements on the issue. Early last year, Hickenlooper was harshly criticized for a radio ad he recorded for the Colorado Oil and Gas Association, where he falsely claimed "we have not had one instance of groundwater contamination associated with drilling and hydraulic fracturing." In July of last year, Hickenlooper told an audience at the Aspen Institute that "out in the West, there is literally no risk" from fracking. Neither of these inaccurate and sweeping statements can be in any way characterized as "fair."

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Full story: Fracking’s “Fair Witness?”

Will Parachute Creek Become Off Limits for Picnics and Fishing?

2
  by: Konola Tue April 30, 2013 at 7:51 AM MDT

(Promoted by Colorado Pols)

There was another briefing in Parachute about the Williams Midstream disaster at Parachute Creek. You know it is serious when very senior people from COGCC, CDPHE, and EPA show up to face concerned citizens. Dave Keylor, Williams Midstream's vice president of Piceance Basin operations was in the room, but not part of the official panel.

The first week in April, at a meeting in Rifle, Keylor was one of the primary spokespeople. At that meeting we were told for the first time that there had been a previously unreported spill at the location where high concentrations of contaminants had been found. A spill that began in late December, or early January was not reported because it was less than 25 gallons. Bob Arrington, a resident of Battlement Mesa, retired engineer, and head of Western Colorado Congress’s Oil and Gas Committee estimated last night that the 25 gallons was more like 1,200 gallons based on his scientifically based calculations.

At the Rifle meeting, we were told that the source of the contaminants was unknown. By the end of April the source is known to be a gauge with a hole in it which controlled a 4 inch pipeline coming from a natural gas plant owned by Williams. Back when the source was unknown, Keylor said that about 6,000 gallons of hydrocarbons and about 252,000 gallons of contaminated groundwater had been pumped from the plume of contamination. Sometimes the information in these sessions is presented in gallons and sometimes it is presented in barrels. I’m not sure if this is a deliberate attempt to confuse the public, but for the record an oil barrel is 42 gallons. 

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Full story: Will Parachute Creek Become Off Limits for Picnics and Fishing?

Gov. Hickenlooper aiding and abetting billion dollar oil and gas industry to cheat rules that protect public health and water

7
  by: checks-and-balances Mon April 29, 2013 at 4:07 PM MDT

(Promoted by Colorado Pols)

Over the past few weeks alone Gov. Hickenlooper has done the bidding of the billion dollar oil and gas industry, to the detriment of Coloradan’s health and water, enough times to make one wonder: just who does he believe he was elected to serve?

Late last week, Gov. Hickenlooper sent his lobbyist to the Capitol to weaken fines for oil and gas spills.

Colorado has the lowest fines in the nation for spills, despite a well-documented problem of spills and water contamination. You don’t have to look much further than the recent Parachute spill for evidence, now on day 53, which has contaminated nearby water and soil with cancer causing benzene and is being investigated by the EPA’s criminal investigations division. Right now, the most that these billion dollar oil and gas companies can fined for breaking the law when they spill is $10,000 - hardly a slap on the wrist and definitely not an incentive to follow the law.

Earlier this year, Hickenlooper’s oil and gas commission created the Anadarko-Noble loophole, which makes it easier for billion dollar oil and gas companies to pollute water in an area along the Front Range that’s home to more than 25 percent of  Colorado’s oil and gas wells and more than half of the most recent spills reported. All eyes are now on the Colorado State Legislature to see if legislation sponsored by Rep. Hullinghorst to overturn the Anadarko-Noble loophole will pass, and avoid a Hickenlooper veto. 

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Full story: Gov. Hickenlooper aiding and abetting billion dollar oil and gas industry to cheat rules that protect public health and water

Rep. Hullinghorst working to end Hickenlooper Anadarko-Noble loophole – which puts Colorado’s water at risk

0
  by: checks-and-balances Thu April 25, 2013 at 2:17 PM MDT

**Crossposted at the Checks and Balances Project

 

Gov. Hickenlooper likes to tout Colorado’s oil and gas rules as a national model, saying that the state has found the middle ground on development. Unfortunately, his administration’s Anadarko-Noble loophole is another example of Gov. Hickenlooper putting the profits of the oil and gas industry ahead of Coloradans. The good news is that champions for local communities, like Rep. Dickey Lee Hullinghorst, are stepping in to try and fix problems like the loophole.

The Anadarko-Noble loophole provides an industry exemption from state water testing rules – already criticized as weakest in the nation – in northern Colorado, despite the fact that this is where some of the most intensive oil and gas drilling operations are located.

The loophole weakens state water testing rules in the Greater Wattenberg Area – near homes and farms in Adams, Boulder, Larimer, and Weld counties - which is home to more than 25 percent of Colorado’s oil and gas wells and some of the most intense growth in drilling activity.

As a result, it will be harder to detect water contamination and to figure out which well(s) are the source of contamination in the very region that needs these public safety standards the most. That’s not good news for Coloradans. In 2012, industry reported 402 spills in state, of which 20 percent resulted in water contamination, and just last month, a huge spill near Parachute creek contaminated nearby soil and water with cancer causing benzene.

The Anadarko-Noble loophole is part of a disturbing pattern by Gov. Hickenlooper of putting oil and gas industry profits ahead of what’s best for Coloradans. Remember the industry paid-for-ad in which Gov. Hickenlooper claimed that Colorado hadn’t had a single instance of ground water contamination from oil and gas drilling, despite evidence to the contrary (58 cases of groundwater contamination in 2011 alone)? Or how Gov. Hickenlooper said his hands were tied for suing Longmont for protecting the health of its residents from fracking?

Today the Colorado House Health, Insurance & Environment Committee will consider HB 1316, legislation that would close the Anadarko-Noble loophole and take a step in the right direction towards protecting our water and our communities. Let’s hope that the committee members will be representing the Coloradans they were elected to serve and not Big Oil and Gas when they vote on HB 1316.

 

 


Full story: Rep. Hullinghorst working to end Hickenlooper Anadarko-Noble loophole – which puts Colorado’s water at risk

Colorado BLM drilling 101: Putting our water, farms and national parks at risk

1
  by: checks-and-balances Wed April 24, 2013 at 1:14 PM MDT

(Promoted by Colorado Pols)

Recently, Bureau of Land Management Colorado State Director Helen Hankins has established a disturbing and dangerous trend in her approach to oil and gas leasing on public lands.

This new infographic illustrates how Dir. Hankins consistently proposes controversial drilling plans and then after public outcry, temporarily halts the leases – only to put the leases back on the auction block months later.

Proposing oil and gas leasing in the midst of Denver’s drinking water sources or next to Dinosaur National Monument doesn’t make sense, and it isn’t good for Colorado.

We need Colorado BLM and Dir. Hankins to change course and pursue a smart, balanced approach to energy development and public lands management that doesn’t put local economies and communities at risk.

Read more about Dir. Hankins’ controversial oil and gas leasing proposals.


Full story: Colorado BLM drilling 101: Putting our water, farms and national parks at risk

New video shows the impacts of oil and gas drilling in Front Range communities

0
  by: ErnieMo Wed April 24, 2013 at 11:43 AM MDT

​(Promoted by Colorado Pols)

Advances in horizontal drilling and fracking technology are bringing oil and gas operations closer to Colorado neighborhoods. In response, communities across Colorado have used legislation and referendums to pass bans or restrictions on drilling and fracking within their borders. Unfortunately, industry and some state officials are pushing back, claiming towns don’t have that authority.

A new video from the Center for Western Priorities (CWP) tells the stories of three people living in communities that have taken action. They explain how nearby drilling and fracking has impacted their homes, health and safety.

Watch their stories on YouTube.

If you have a story that needs to be told, please contact CWP at info@westernpriorities.org.


Full story: New video shows the impacts of oil and gas drilling in Front Range communities

Hickenlooper Working Against Democrats on Fracking Legislation?

14
  by: Colorado Pols Wed April 24, 2013 at 10:10 AM MDT

Somewhere in here is my actual position.

As Fox 31's Eli Stokols reports, Democrats in the legislature are concerned that Gov. John Hickenlooper may be actively working against efforts to pass new fracking safety legislation. That Hickenlooper, an unabashed supporter of fracking, would undermine legislative efforts is not a total surprise — though they have a right to expect more frank conversations than the same old Hick Schtick:

“Most of the oil and gas companies are pretty unhappy with me as well,” Hickenlooper said in a interview Monday. “We’ve sort of found that sweet spot to make everyone a little bit angry.”

But Democrats, who control both legislative chambers at the Capitol, have introduced a wide range of proposals aimed at regulating the industry — and they’re not convinced that Hickenlooper isn’t working against them.

“My sense is we’re definitely facing a headwind,” said Rep. Mike Foote, D-Lafayette, the sponsor of several oil and gas regulation bills. “Obviously, a lot of that is coming from the industry. But it’s hard to tell if the administration is also part of it.”

Foote points to an amendment he proposed during the long debate over the state budget to provide an additional eight state oil and gas well inspectors.

“Right now we have 16 inspectors to cover about 52,000 wells,” Foote told FOX31 Denver. “What we were trying to do is give them more people to do their job better. So that was surprising. It was kind of a ‘thanks, but no thanks.’

“I’ve never heard of a government agency turning down the prospect of having more people, but it did happen in this case.”

Hickenlooper is trying to play the tired card that "both sides are mad at me, so it must mean compromise," which is rarely that simple (and in this case, we suspect, largely nonsense because Hick has always been on the side of industry). To his credit, Stokols pushed to get more of an answer from Hickenlooper…and ended up with more political gibberish:

When asked if he or his administration has publicly opposed or lobbied against any of the Democratic oil and gas bills, Hickenlooper didn’t issue a flat denial.

“What we’ve tried to do is make each bill better,” he said.

As we've written before, the Hick Schtick has been overplayed to the point of being tedious. It's become transparently silly, and the fracking debate has exposed its flaws. You can't answer every question with a variation of "we are gathering facts and having conversations, blah, blah, blah." It's the same sort of mealy-mouthed approach that angered supporters of repealing the death penalty. This isn't leadership, and Hick shouldn't be surprised at the growing frustration in the legislature. Frustration does not always mean that both sides are compromising — sometimes it's just simple, plain old frustration.

If Hickenlooper ends up being cast as the primary obstacle to Democratic-supported legislation to make fracking safer, the fallout will go beyond this particular issue. One of the concerns Democrats have always had with Hickenlooper is that he tries so hard to be seen as a moderate compromiser (which he is not) that it is difficult to know where he stands on most issues. This is the biggest hurdle Hick would have if he truly was thinking about a potential run for President in 2016; try to picture the announcement of a Presidential run, and then ask yourself where his campaign is going to find 2,000 dedicated Democrats to fill a room.


Full story: Hickenlooper Working Against Democrats on Fracking Legislation?