Trouble underground

Re: “Regulators consider ‘orphan’ cleanup” and “Federal money is on the way to cap wells,” Feb. 2 news stories

Protecting our public lands matters. As a Routt County commissioner, I have had the privilege of serving a community that knows the value of these spaces and the responsibility we all have to preserve them for future generations. For this reason, it is vital that the financial assurance regulations adopted by the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission are applicable to wells drilled on lands under the stewardship of the federal government.

Unfortunately, there have been many oil and gas operators in Colorado who have abandoned their unplugged wells, which go on to vent methane and toxic chemicals into our air and threaten to contaminate our groundwater. Hundreds of these wells have been identified, and many more will be revealed as insolvent operators who have no intention of meeting their obligation to clean up after themselves are at last confronted with meaningful regulations that will require enough money to be set aside upfront for the plugging and reclamation of their wells.

Federal lands are central to our identity in Western Colorado and are integral to sustaining our local economies.

To the extent that they are used for energy production, it is imperative that we all do our part to ensure that the land is promptly restored after operations are completed and the public’s health is protected.

We cannot sit idly and wait for the Bureau of Land Management to undergo a lengthy rulemaking process when we have a chance to act now.

Beth Melton, Routt County

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As oil companies make record profits, why are taxpayers stuck with the bill to cap off wells that are no longer active? Our federal money is being sent to states to solve problems that should be the responsibility of these oil companies as a cost of doing business. Instead, we are lining the pockets of their executives or shareholders so they can line the pockets of politicians in donations to their reelection campaigns.

Does the small private business get to write off expenses at taxpayer bailouts? It appears the system is broken as politicians screw Americans and continue to put this country further in debt with no light at the end of the tunnel to recover.

Dave Usechek, Parker