Now known as the ECMC, the transition demonstrates Colorado’s commitment to usher in emerging energy technologies in a protective regulatory manner
Denver, CO (Jul. 05, 2023) - Statement from Commission Chair Jeff Robbins and Director Julie Murphy:
“The Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) has 72 years of experience of regulating oil and gas, including the implementation of SB 19-181, which changed the mission of the Agency from “fostering” to “regulating” oil and gas in a manner protective of the public health, safety, welfare, wildlife and the environment. Effective July 1, 2023, the Colorado Legislature and Governor changed the name and mission of the Agency to become the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC).
This Agency will continue to protectively regulate oil and gas, and will expand its responsibilities by using its talents to usher in regulatory pathways for emerging energy technologies in the areas of carbon capture and sequestration, deep geothermal, and underground natural gas storage. The on-going experience and expertise of the staff as the former COGCC, will continue to guide the organization with some additional staff expertise to accommodate the new areas of emerging energy technologies.
Together with Colorado’s stakeholders, these opportunities will make ECMC a great place to work, to build a career, and to open up new opportunities for Staff and for Colorado, making it a cleaner, better place to live and work.
The Commission and Staff will continue to be reached by the same emails and phone numbers, and customers and stakeholders will begin to see changes as we adopt the new name, logo, and expanded authority. Be sure to visit the ECMC website, ecmc.state.co.us, and follow us on Twitter at @ColoradoECMC, to be a part of this transition and learn more.
We look forward to the ECMC’s next steps that will allow for these clean energy technologies to become a reality in Colorado.”
About SB23-285
Gov. Jared Polis signed SB23-285 "Energy & Carbon Management Regulation In Colorado," sponsored by Sens. Priola & Hansen and Reps. McCormick & Dickson, on May 22. The bill was effective July 1, 2023. SB23-285 expands COGCC’s regulatory oversight over deep geothermal, underground natural gas storage. Additionally, there is the important step to change the name from the COGCC to the Energy & Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) which:
- Signals the ECMC’s expanded role and shows the trust in the entire Commission’s knowledge, experience and expertise in subsurface technologies, as well as with rulemakings and working with our communities;
- Demonstrates to the State and beyond, that with Colorado’s extensive universities, national laboratories and natural resources, how the state is leading in delivering clean, emerging energy technologies; and,
- Along with SB23-16, the newly named ECMC will also regulate Carbon Capture and Storage.
(Caption: Gov. Polis signs SB23-285 at the Colorado School Of Mines campus on May 22, 2023)
About the ECMC
The mission of the Colorado Energy & Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) is to regulate the development and production of the natural resources of oil and gas, deep geothermal resources, the capture and sequestration of carbon, and the underground storage of natural gas in a manner that protects public health, safety, welfare, the environment and wildlife resources. Visit the ECMC website for more information.