With recommendations expected soon, the Oil and Gas Task Force created by Governor John Hickenlooper will meet in Greeley Jan. 15-16. The group is part of a deal struck by Hickenlooper and others when four issues related to oil and gas development were headed to the statewide ballot.
Since the formation of the 21-member group, one key focus has been how local governments can have more say in the oil and gas development process. The health and social impacts of development also tops the list of concerns.
Those two issues are reflected in the agenda [.pdf], with a two-hour discussion slated for impacts of development on human health and public safety. Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission Director Matt Lepore will also be on hand to discuss the process for local government input, and how the group will arrive at recommendations.
There's been doubt about whether the Oil and Gas Task Force can successfully come to a consensus on recommendations — and whether lawmakers will translate those findings into new laws.
Fort Collins Mayor Pro Tem Gerry Horak previously expressed those very doubts about the group, as the city was defending a voter-approved moratorium on hydraulic fracturing.
I don't have much faith in that…I had not seen the state Legislature willing to tackle the issue. I've seen the state Legislature willing to tackle fringes on the issue and they've basically ignored it over the last so many years.
The task force has until the end of February to make recommendations.
