The priority
Update critical public health, water and wildlife protections from oil and gas drilling impacts. Over the past decade permits issued for oil and gas drilling have increased by 600%, yet basic rules to protect our drinking water, public health and wildlife haven’t been updated to deal with this boom.
Why this is vital now
Coloradans are already suffering from the effects of irresponsible drilling. In April, a Durango nurse suffered heart, liver and lung failure after being exposed to drilling chemicals while treating a gas field worker. Without updated protections, there were inadequate disclosure standards of these highly toxic chemicals. In fact, this July, Halliburton executives testified that requiring the company to reveal the types of chemicals used in oil and gas production “is much like asking Coca-Cola to disclose the formula of Coke” and therefore they are unwilling to disclose what toxic chemicals they are using in our communities.
In June, a hunting guide from Garfield County drank water from his well that had been contaminated with benzene from nearby gas drilling. When questioned about the incident a toxicologist working for the Colorado Oil and Gas Association testified that it should be considered acceptable so long as it didn’t cause a permanent illness such as cancer.
Proposed Legislation
House Bill 1038 – Oil Shale Severence Tax Exemption – Full text of bill – Bill details and votes
Status – Defeated – Environment WIN
This bill would create a large tax exemption for oil shale developers, dramatically lowering the funds available to offset the environmental impacts of their production processes. Sponsored by Representative Lundberg. NO is the pro-environment vote.
House Bill 1062 - Piceance Oil and Gas Water Quality Study – Full text of bill – Bill details and votes
Status – Defeated – Environment LOSS
This bill would sponsor a water quality study in the Piceance basin on the Western Slope enabling the state to monitor the effects that oil and gas development have on the area’s water. Sponsored by Representative Curry and Senator Schwartz. YES is the pro-environment vote.
House Bill 1167 – COGCC Wildlife Rule Impact Oil Gas Well – Full text of bill – Bill details and votes
Status – Defeated – Environment WIN
This bill would forbid the Oil and Gas Commission from implementing any rules from the Colorado Habitat Stewardship Act of 2007 which might lower oil production. Sponsored by Representative McKinley. NO is the pro-environment vote.
House Bill 1255 - Limit O&G Permit Wildlife Mitigation – Full text of bill – Bill details and votes
Status – Defeated – Environment WIN
This measure would remove the Division of Wildlife’s ability to recommend areas be designated as wilderness to protect vital range and habitat from oil and gas development. Sponsored by Representative Cory Gardner and Senator Kopp. NO is the pro-environment vote.
House Bill 1292 – Rule Review Bill – Full Text of Bill – Bill Details and Votes
Status – Signed by Governor – Environment WIN
This bill extends environmental protections on oil and gas drilling that were set to expire. Sponsored by Representative McGihon and Senator Veiga. YES is the pro-environment vote.
Senate Bill 4 – Moratorium on Oil and Gas Commission Rules – Full text of bill – Bill details and votes
Status – Defeated – Environment WIN
This legislation would delay implementation of critical protections for health, public safety, drinking water and wildlife from oil and gas drilling impacts for more than a year. As a result, Coloradans would be denied basic public health protections. Sponsored by Senator Brophy and Representative Bradford. The bill was defeated in the Senate Local Government and Energy Committee. Press coverage is available here. NO is the pro-environment vote.
Senate Bill 220 - Oil Shale Severance Tax Exemption – Full text of bill – Bill details and votes
Status – Defeated – Environment WIN
This legislation would reduce severence taxes payable from oil shale development, decreasing the available funding to mitigate the impact of drilling on the local community and habitat. Sponsored by Senator Lundberg and Representative Lambert. NO is the pro-environment vote.
Senate Bill 229 - CO Oil & Gas Commission Wildlife Protection – Full text of bill – Bill details and votes
Status – Defeated – Environment WIN
This legislation would require landowners to give permission to the Oil and Gas Commission before the Commission could enforce protections for wildlife affected by drilling. Sponsored by Senator Isgar and Representative Curry. NO is the pro-environment vote.