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May 10, 2008 5:24 pm US/Mountain
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Mesa Co. Commissioner Criticizes Oil, Gas Rules
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. ( (AP) ―
Mesa County Commissioner Craig Meis says a proposed overhaul of Colorado's oil and gas regulations goes beyond what the Legislature intended.
Meis also argues the proposed rules would increase the time it takes to approve a drilling permit.
His comments are part of Mesa County's comments prepared for upcoming hearings. The comments echo warnings from the industry that the proposals could undermine Colorado's booming natural gas development.
The rules drafted by state staffers would implement two new laws requiring that decisions about oil and gas development give additional weight to public health, wildlife and the environment. Regulators aim to adopt new rules by late summer.
The Colorado Oil and Gas Commission, the main regulatory body, has said the new rules would speed up and streamline the approval of drilling permits.
Mesa County is also concerned about how the state rules would mesh with county land-use regulations protecting air and water quality.
"We believe that such protection can be best accomplished through strong county land use procedures and close coordination and cooperation between Mesa County, the water supplier and the (state oil and gas commission)," the county said in its comments.
The commission released the draft rules March 31 after three months of hearings and work sessions on preliminary proposals. Representatives from energy companies, environmental groups and local governments attended dozens of sessions in February and March on specific topics in the proposals.
Public hearings, including testimony, will start in June.
Colorado issued a record 6,368 drilling permits last year, six times the total in 1999. About a third more permits were approved in the first quarter of this year than a year ago and state officials say about 8,000 permits might be issued this year if the pace continues.
(© 2008 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)