Site search
sponsored by
News
As natural gas development continues at a breakneck pace, alternative energy becomes more popular and oil shale - once again - seems to peak over the horizon, the Garfield County, Colorado Energy Advisory Board has decided to reconsider its role.
The four-year old board - made up of representatives of major gas-related companies in the county, citizens and local governments - was formed by the county commissioners and given a mission of providing a forum for the industry, the public, impacted landowners and local government to prevent or minimize associated conflicts and to encourage responsible and balanced development.
In recent monthly meetings, board members have noted how things have changed in four years and a desire to get more public interest in the board. Co-chair Betsy Suerth, Silt’s town administrator, thinks more specific information from gas operators like the number of drilling rigs, where pipelines and new wells are planned in specific locations, would help. A sub-committee made up of representatives from the industry, area governments and citizens also thinks a more defined complaint and follow-up procedure to handle conflicts are needed, according to Suerth.
An original charge of advising the county commissioners on energy-related legislation should be dropped, the group recommended. Jon Black with Antero Resources has noted “the challenges faced by the industry and the changes and growth in the communities should be reflected by this board.”
This board could serve a more vital function in helping deal with the impacts caused by energy development, and can help educate residents about their options when a gas company comes knocking on their door with a lease to drill on their land. The board needs to make sure it doesn’t shy away from conflicts, but doesn’t become bogged down in internal bickering, either.
In it’s four years, the board has started to bridge some of the gaps between citizens and the industry, now it needs to find ways to extend its reach.
Let’s hope a new charge or mission helps everyday citizens and others deal with all the issues and impacts we’ve seen engulf the western part of the county.
The four-year old board - made up of representatives of major gas-related companies in the county, citizens and local governments - was formed by the county commissioners and given a mission of providing a forum for the industry, the public, impacted landowners and local government to prevent or minimize associated conflicts and to encourage responsible and balanced development.
In recent monthly meetings, board members have noted how things have changed in four years and a desire to get more public interest in the board. Co-chair Betsy Suerth, Silt’s town administrator, thinks more specific information from gas operators like the number of drilling rigs, where pipelines and new wells are planned in specific locations, would help. A sub-committee made up of representatives from the industry, area governments and citizens also thinks a more defined complaint and follow-up procedure to handle conflicts are needed, according to Suerth.
An original charge of advising the county commissioners on energy-related legislation should be dropped, the group recommended. Jon Black with Antero Resources has noted “the challenges faced by the industry and the changes and growth in the communities should be reflected by this board.”
This board could serve a more vital function in helping deal with the impacts caused by energy development, and can help educate residents about their options when a gas company comes knocking on their door with a lease to drill on their land. The board needs to make sure it doesn’t shy away from conflicts, but doesn’t become bogged down in internal bickering, either.
In it’s four years, the board has started to bridge some of the gaps between citizens and the industry, now it needs to find ways to extend its reach.
Let’s hope a new charge or mission helps everyday citizens and others deal with all the issues and impacts we’ve seen engulf the western part of the county.
