The recent passage of new rules and regulations by the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission is a major step in the right direction in seeking to balance the production of natural gas and oil in Colorado with the need to protect some very important things.

The health of Colorado’s citizens, our clean air and water resources and the incredible heritage of natural beauty and abundant wildlife that has created and sustained Colorado’s outdoor businesses, will benefit greatly from work done by the Legislature, Gov. Ritter and his administration and thousands of citizens from across the state.

It is also important to thank the many industry representatives who, in fact, worked in a cooperative way with COGCC Director Neslin and his staff in an 18-month process of finding consensus and building relationships based on respect.

It is important now to put down the weapons of mendacity and partisanship, and remember that some things are more important than our political viewpoint. We really can find a way to work together, but respect for the truth and for each other must be the foundation of the discussion.

Locally, Western Colorado Congress and its members have worked doggedly for years to help accomplish this milestone. They are part of a widespread coalition of groups from all over Colorado. Give them your support.

There is much consternation about the downturn in oil and gas activity and it is so unfortunate that the Republican Caucus continues to falsely claim that the new rules are to blame, even though many corporate executives have admitted otherwise.

The local natural gas industry will recover as the price of natural gas inevitably rises. Let us work diligently to improve pipeline capacity and to adapt liquid fuel systems to use our own abundant gas resource, helping to facilitate that recovery.

But, mostly, let’s just try to be friends.

DUKE COX
Palisade

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 1st, 2009 at 9:25 am and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.