Editorial

There usually aren’t many people at monthly Garfield County Energy Advisory Board meetings here in Rifle.

In fact, most people probably don’t even know there is a place to take their questions and concerns about the natural gas industry and at least get some attention.

The 4-year-old board meets the first Thursday night of each month to discuss various issues and listen to some type of educational presentation. But it was created at a time when conflicts between the industry, residents and landowners seemed to happen all the time.

Now, the perception is that those conflicts have lessened - maybe partly because the people who complained then have all moved away? - with what has been a much better approach to communication, proactive steps and a better understanding of what and why the industry does what it does when it punches holes thousands of feet underground between Silt and Parachute and areas beyond.

The board may expand to around twice its current 11 citizen representatives and refine its original mission in light of what some on the board consider changed attitudes among citizens. Those changes would likely increase the board’s emphasis on education and information.

That’s all well and good; no one can get too much education or information. But let’s hope the board doesn’t put conflict resolution so far on the back burner that it ceases to be an effective public forum for those who do decide to approach the board for help.

With the gas companies in Western Garfield County planning to drill fewer wells this year, you would think - and let’s hope this is the case - there would be fewer conflicts as well as complaints. That still doesn’t mean any one person who thinks they’ve been adversely affected by something the industry does should be turned away if they show up for a meeting.

It’s usually good for any elected or appointed board to reexamine itself from time to time. But that process should not ignore what’s happened in the past and could happen again. Better to be ready than sorry.