Colorado Governor Establishes Task Force to Ease Oil & Gas Tensions
Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper has established the Oil and Gas Task Force to ease tensions surrounding a November ballot. The task force aims to address local concerns about shale gas and tight oil development, with a focus on power sharing between state and local governments.
The task force, created to reduce debate around oil and gas extraction, has withdrawn several controversial initiatives. These include a 2,000-foot setback requirement and an environmental bill of rights addition to the state constitution. Supporters of local authority continue to push for more control over oil and gas siting and activities, threatening new ballot initiatives.
The task force has issued 9 recommendations to tackle community concerns. Seven of these were unanimous, while two passed with a two-thirds majority. Recommendations include adding state well inspectors, enhancing information flows, reducing truck traffic, assisting companies with regulations, and creating state review authority for large-scale operations.
The task force's work has led to the withdrawal of several contentious initiatives, but supporters of local authority remain vocal. The appropriate degree of power sharing between state and local governments regarding oil and gas regulation remains unsettled, with the task force's recommendations offering a path forward.
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