ARTICLE
Colorado Oil & Gas Association’s statement regarding the City of Fort Collins’ new oil and gas regulations Denver, CO - - The Colorado Oil & Gas Association (COGA) is concerned with the overreaching restrictions included in Fort Collins’ oil and gas regulations passed on Tuesday night. As approved, the regulations operate as an illegal de facto ban on new oil and gas development within city limits and disregard the clear legal precedent on development bans set by the Colorado Supreme Court. The following statement can be attributed to Dan Haley, COGA President and CEO: “The redundant setbacks and siting requirements outlined in the regulations go well beyond the extremely rigorous rules adopted by the state’s technical experts in oil and gas, the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. The state’s rules and regulations have set a high standard for our companies and employees to protect public health, safety, welfare, the environment, and wildlife while providing a resource we all need and preserving jobs and opportunities for tens of thousands of Coloradans and their families. When state Senator Steve Fenberg introduced Senate Bill 19-181, he said: “This bill does not allow a de facto ban, whether at the state or local level.” In stark contrast, Fort Collins City Staff told the City Council on March 9, 2023, that the key objective of the new regulations is to ensure “no oil and gas development can occur within City limits.” The Colorado oil and gas industry leads the nation and the globe in deploying technology and safety advancements to develop our vital resources with the ultimate consideration for the health of our fellow Colorado citizens and the environment. COGA appreciates that most communities in Colorado understand the importance of participating in energy production and fundamentally taking responsibility for the energy we all use. However, we are disappointed in the City of Fort Collins’ disregard for this fact and their approach to effectively ban oil and gas development.” ###
Colorado Oil & Gas Association’s statement regarding the City of Fort Collins’ new oil and gas regulations
Denver, CO - - The Colorado Oil & Gas Association (COGA) is concerned with the overreaching restrictions included in Fort Collins’ oil and gas regulations passed on Tuesday night. As approved, the regulations operate as an illegal de facto ban on new oil and gas development within city limits and disregard the clear legal precedent on development bans set by the Colorado Supreme Court.
The following statement can be attributed to Dan Haley, COGA President and CEO:
“The redundant setbacks and siting requirements outlined in the regulations go well beyond the extremely rigorous rules adopted by the state’s technical experts in oil and gas, the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. The state’s rules and regulations have set a high standard for our companies and employees to protect public health, safety, welfare, the environment, and wildlife while providing a resource we all need and preserving jobs and opportunities for tens of thousands of Coloradans and their families.
When state Senator Steve Fenberg introduced Senate Bill 19-181, he said: “This bill does not allow a de facto ban, whether at the state or local level.” In stark contrast, Fort Collins City Staff told the City Council on March 9, 2023, that the key objective of the new regulations is to ensure “no oil and gas development can occur within City limits.”
The Colorado oil and gas industry leads the nation and the globe in deploying technology and safety advancements to develop our vital resources with the ultimate consideration for the health of our fellow Colorado citizens and the environment. COGA appreciates that most communities in Colorado understand the importance of participating in energy production and fundamentally taking responsibility for the energy we all use. However, we are disappointed in the City of Fort Collins’ disregard for this fact and their approach to effectively ban oil and gas development.”
###