Save The Aurora Reservoir Members Helped Influence Positive Outcome
On December 10, 2024, the Phase 2B Oil and Gas Regulations proposed by the Arapahoe County Planning Division were unanimously approved by the Board of County Commissioners. The approved amendments, which will be enforced for all new oil and gas developments in the County, strengthen air quality monitoring requirements, introduce a new inspection program, and require operating companies to provide financial assurances of $120,000 for each well.
Additionally, a new provision requiring drilling and permanent production equipment to be operated using electrical power further enforces the Colorado Energy & Carbon Management’s ruling that operations within the Lowry Ranch Comprehensive Area Plan (CAP) must be electrified. This means that power lines and infrastructure must be used in place of the high-emissions turbines commonly used in fracturing operations. This provision is especially critical in reducing the air pollution associated with fracking wells.
“The revised rules, while not perfect, represent a step forward in our continued mission to protect the Aurora Reservoir and surrounding communities from the threats posed by a deluge of new fracking applications,” said Marsha Goldsmith Kamin, Save The Aurora Reservoir (STAR) President. “We are grateful to the Arapahoe County Commissioners for recognizing the need for these additional measures to protect Aurora residents from the dangers of large-scale hydraulic fracturing in close proximity to a highly populated residential area.”
STAR has been active throughout the development of these latest amendments, and intends to continue advocating for air, water, and community protections at the state and county levels. While this was the last planned phase of Arapahoe County oil and gas regulation amendments, STAR believes a third phase is needed to address items such as mandatory hearings for all well pads within 3,100 feet of residential and homes.
