Grateful to COGCC

Re: “State rejects Kerr-mcgee drilling plan near homes,” March 11 business story

I live in the neighborhood directly to the east of Kerr-mcgee’s proposed Longs Peak oil and gas development. My career was in state government for more than 40 years and I have observed numerous state board or commission hearings throughout my career.

I attended both the Feb. 16 and March 10 Longs Peak hearings at the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, and I was really impressed with how the commissioners conducted the hearings. They listened carefully and patiently to all presenters and public comments. They asked great questions and thoroughly evaluated how this proposal did or did not meet laws and regulations for siting a facility in a populated area.

On March 10, I heard several people express an opinion that a decision to deny the proposal was a statement against oil development in Colorado generally or energy independence for the U.S. I disagree.

This was a narrowly scoped decision on whether or not a large oil production facility built in a highly developed area (with over 60 homes within 2,000 feet of the site) was sufficiently protective of public and environmental health. After careful analysis and thoughtful discussion, the commission decided it was in the public interest to deny this proposal consistent with the 2019 Senate Bill 181 and the state’s mission to prioritize protections for public health, safety and welfare.

I thank the commission for their work listening to the impacted community and appreciate the difficult decision they made. Steven Colvin, Firestone