The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission approved rules Tuesday to help the public get a general idea where oil and gas pipelines are located. The nine-member panel unanimously approved the regulatory update after three days of testimony.

Regulators have been working on the proposal for months, in the wake of a home explosion in Firestone last April that killed two people and injured another. Democratic legislators tried and failed to get mapping as a requirement in the last days of the legislative session and have joined local residents and outside activists opposing the industry. Senate Republicans batted down the bill, just as they are poised to do with anti-energy measures this session.

Democrats control the House, and Republicans have a one-seat majority in the Senate, making Tuesday’s move by the state regulatory board a victory for proponents of more oversight and disclosure.

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat who has worked with the industry, issued a statement about the decision.

“We believe these new rules are another important step in the aftermath of the Firestone tragedy,” he said. “State government and local municipalities depend on the commitment that industry is doing everything to to keep our communities safe.”

The Colorado Oil and Gas Association, the industry group, said its members could live with the new rules on flowline installation, management and mapping to “make an already safe industry even safer.”

“Without question these tough, new regulations will further enhance the safety and integrity of ourpipeline infrastructure,” Dan Haley, COGA president and CEO, said in a statement Tuesday night. “Safety is our industry’s top value and that includes the safety of our workforce and the communities where we work and live.

“The formation of this new regulatory oversight was a significant undertaking, and we hope communities note the additional requirements that will strengthen the safety practices of our daily operations.”

The new rules also would require companies to work more closely with the 811 emergency system that helps the public and contractors locate known underground lines before they dig there. Companies would have to disclose other layout papers and other paperwork related to specific wells.

To read a state-produced presentation on the rules click here.

“These new oversight requirements keep Colorado at the front of the pack nationally, with challenging, first-of-their-kind regulations that push the envelope for our oil and gas industry,” Haley stated. “It’s important that Coloradans know our industry is regulated and that our members work every day to produce the energy we all need each day in safe and environmentally responsible ways. It’s also important that Coloradans not only feel safe, but that they can see the proactive steps being taken to ensure that safety.”

Legislation, lawsuits and local voters continue to rail on the industry.

Last Friday, the House passed Rep. Joe Salazar’s House Bill 1071 to give local communities more regulatory authority on oil and gas, citing the environment, public safety and public health. The bill isn’t scheduled to be heard by a Senate committee until March 7, and since Republicans have a majority there, it’s nearly certain to be dead on arrival.