h_tra_2016a_2016-04-13t13:38:00z0 Hearing Summary

Date: 04/13/2016

01:39 PM -- HB 16-1430



Representative Lebsock, prime sponsor, came to the table to present House Bill 16-1430. This bill requires that an oil and gas operator register with both the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC), and with the local governments in whose jurisdiction the operator has either an approved state drilling permit, or an application for a new well. The operator may register with the local government either by complying with a locally established registration process, or by delivering a current copy of the operator's COGCC registration and designation-of-agent forms.



The bill also allows a local government to request:



• a good-faith estimate of the number of wells the operator intends to drill in the next five years within the local government's jurisdiction; and



• a map showing the location of existing well sites and production facilities, approved well sites or sites for which an application is pending, and sites the operator has identified for development on its current drilling schedule, but for which it has not yet submitted an application for COGCC approval.



Three documents on the bill and the COGCC were distributed to the committee (Attachments A, B, and C).



160413 AttachA.pdf160413 AttachB.pdf160413 AttachC.pdf



01:51 PM



Representative Lebsock responded to questions from the committee.



02:05 PM



Committee questioning of and discussion with Representative Lebsock continued.



02:10 PM -- Commissioner Chaz Tedesco, representing Adams County, testified in support of the bill. Commissioner Tedesco responded to questions from the committee. Discussion ensued.

02:29 PM -- Dr. Stew Nyholm and Christine Nyholm, representing Adams County Communities for Drilling Accountability Now (ACCDAN), testified in support of the bill.

02:35 PM -- Jennifer Gamble, representing ACCDAN, testified in support of the bill.

02:40 PM -- Dona Olivier, representing Wadley Farms Homeowners Association, testified in support of the bill.

02:42 PM -- Sara Loflin, representing the League of Oil and Gas Impacted Coloradans (LOGIC), testified in support of the bill. Ms. Loflin responded to a question from the committee.



02:46 PM -- Tracee Bently and Dave Neslin, representing the Colorado Petroleum Council and the American Petroleum Institute, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Bently and Mr. Neslin responded to questions from the committee and discussion ensued.



03:18 PM -- Stan Dempsey, representing the Colorado Petroleum Association, testified in opposition to the bill.

03:22 PM -- Dan O'Connell, representing the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, testified in opposition to the bill.

03:27 PM -- Jamie Jost, representing the Colorado Oil and Gas Association, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Jost responded to questions from the committee.

03:40 PM -- Kathleen Staks, representing the Department of Natural Resources, testified neutrally on the bill.



03:45 PM



The committee took a brief recess.



04:02 PM



The committee returned to order. Representative Lebsock explained amendment L.001 (Attachment B).

04:06 PM



Representative Lebsock explained amendment L.002 (Attachment C).

04:08 PM



Representative Lebsock explained amendment L.003 (Attachment D). The amendment was withdrawn.



160413 AttachD.pdf



04:12 PM



Representative Lebsock made his closing comments on the bill. Discussion ensued.