The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission is holding hearings this week in Thornton and Erie to discuss rulemaking and take public comment on issues related to Senate Bill 181, the oil and gas regulatory reform bill adopted during the 2019 legislative session.

On Wednesday the commission is in Thornton for the day to discuss rulemaking tied to its new mission, flowlines (pipelines), alternative location analysis, and cumulative impacts of oil and gas development.

Under SB 181, the COGCC’s mission changed from fostering the development of oil and gas to regulating oil and gas in a manner that protects public health and safety.

An alternative location analysis as specified by the law directs the commission to identify oil and gas locations proposed near populated areas. The rulemaking changes the rules and regulations regarding siting and local governance of siting issues, according to a COGCC news release.

SB 181 requires the commission, in consultation with the Department of Public Health and Environment, to evaluate cumulative impacts of oil and gas development. 

The rulemaking on flowlines would allow the “public disclosure of flowline information” and would determine whether a deactivated flowline has to be inspected before being reactivated.

Public comment will begin at 1:30 p.m. at the Margaret Carpenter Recreation Center. Prior to that public comment period, members of the public and youth organizers of last weekend’s climate change rallies will hold a news conference, sponsored by Colorado Rising.

Thursday’s meeting in Erie will start at 4 p.m. and will be held at the Erie Community Center.