Colorado governor signs major overhaul of oil and gas rules

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Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has signed into law a major overhaul of state oil and gas rules, turning the focus away from encouraging production and directing regulators to make public safety and the environment their top priority


Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Tuesday signed into law a major overhaul of state oil and gas rules, turning the focus away from encouraging production and directing regulators to make public safety and the environment their top priority.

The law also gives local government significant new authority to restrict the location of wells, which could limit or prohibit drilling in some areas near homes and schools.

Today, with the signing of this bill, it is our hope that the oil and gas wars that have enveloped our state are over, and the winner is all of us, said Polis, a Democrat.

The state has struggled for years to balance the interests of the booming industry against growing concerns of people who live nearby drilling rigs, wells and tanks.

Colorado ranks fifth nationally in crude oil production and sixth in natural gas. The industry says it contributes 32 billion annually to the state economy, including taxes and 89,000 direct and indirect jobs.

But fast-growing communities north of Denver are spilling into the states most productive oil and gas area, the Wattenberg field, sparking complaints about noise and pollution and provoking fears about explosions.


Much more: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/colorado-governor-signs-major-overhaul-oil-gas-rules-62444225



Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, at podium, signs into law Senate Bill 19-181 at the State Capitol in Denver, Colo., Tuesday, April 16, 2019. Gov. Polis signed into law a major overhaul of state oil and gas rules, shifting the focus away from encouraging production and directing regulators to make public safety and the environment their top priority. (AP Photo/Dan Elliott)