Suggested Comments

Require full disclosure of all chemicals used in oil and gas production. Industry should be required to make public the full chemical make-up of their products including the volumes and concentrations of the chemicals used during oil and gas operations. Many Coloradoans live near drill rigs, well pads, pits, intense oil-field traffic and a variety of other exploration and production facilities. Without mandatory and full disclosure of chemicals used in drilling, stimulation, completion and other products, residents have no way of knowing what kind of chemicals they may be exposed to in their air, soil or water. Chemicals can enter the environment from drilling practices and through spills and accidents. Coloradoans deserve to know what the industry is using.

Collect data, initiate health studies, monitor air, water and soil, and establish advisory committees in a manner that is designed to prevent health impacts from oil and gas development, not simply “review available literature and assess the need for follow-up studies.” Currently, little specific data exists regarding the long-term health risks associated with oil and gas field chemicals and activities. Yet, those of us living with oil and gas development know that the industry is releasing hazardous chemicals in our air, water and soil. We ought to take a cumulative and precautionary approach to the health effects of oil and gas development, by conducting the appropriate studies and monitoring activities now.

Include local governments, surface owners and adjacent property owners in the consultation process and do so by preserving local authority to regulate oil and gas impacts. Local governments can play a critical role in ensuring that oil and gas development is done right. New rules must ensure that consultation requirements for local government, surface owners and adjacent landowners are strengthened and respect any stronger notice and consultation requirements that local governments may already have in place.

Prevent and reduce oil and gas impacts to the Public by requiring: Comprehensive Development Plans, closed loop/pitless drilling systems, greater setback from homes and other domestic/public structures, and greater attention to noise issues, and prohibiting on-site burial of oil and gas waste,

Prevent and reduce oil and gas impacts impacts to wildlife and the environment by requiring minimum disturbance to habitat, including seeps and springs, vegetation, preservation of migration corridors and calving areas, old growth timber and native species.

Hold industry accountable by increasing bonding and reducing time frames for reclamation. Bonding should reflect the true cost of clean-up or reclamation so that surface owners and residents don’t end up subsidizing those operators who abandon their well sites. Time frames for reclamation ought to be reduced and rules regarding the removal of equipment, supplies and waste materials removed from locations must be strengthened and enforced.