Director presents first “Report on the Evaluation of Cumulative Impacts” to Commission, as required from new Mission Change Rulemaking
Denver, CO (Jan. 18, 2022) - The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) today announced the Director has delivered its “2021 Report on the Evaluation of Cumulative Impacts,” as required by the adoption of the SB 19-181 Mission Change rules to regulate oil and gas development in a manner that is protective of public health, safety, welfare, wildlife and environmental resources.
“We are pleased to present the first report on cumulative impacts to the Commission, which demonstrates COGCC is fulfilling the requirements of SB19-181 and implementing rules to regulate oil and gas in a protective manner,” said COGCC Director Murphy. “This report is intended to provide Commissioners with information, now and in the future, to best understand how oil and gas impacts public health, safety, welfare, the environment, and wildlife resources. Additionally, this report will continue to grow and develop in the future as additional data is submitted and by iterating in response to feedback from the Commission as to how to best evaluate cumulative impacts. We could not do this work without the guidance and collaboration from our colleagues at CDPHE and CPW, so my thanks for their contributions.”
COGCC recognizes that the seven Oil & Gas Development Plans (OGDPs) approved in 2021 were the basis of this report’s data evaluation. Future reports will grow by including the data from any new OGDPs and Comprehensive Area Plans approved by the Commission. In addition, COGCC will accept technical information that would enhance future reports.
The report is required from Rule 904.a, which was adopted by the Commission during the Mission Change Rulemaking Hearings on Nov. 23, 2020, and became effective on Jan. 15, 2021. Starting next year, the COGCC Director will provide an annual report on the Evaluation of the Cumulative Impacts by the final day of February.
Additional Information:
Director’s Presentation & How to Provide Input:
- COGCC Director Julie Murphy will present to the Commission on the 2021 Report at the Weekly Hearing on Wednesday, Jan. 19
- COGCC Commission invites the public to:
- Submit evolving and new innovative technologies or measures (904.a.(5)) and Academic or government published reports (904.a.(6)).
- Provide public comment on the report at the Jan. 26 Commission Hearing.
- In the future, this annual report will be delivered by the final day of February
- To deliver public comment, find an agenda or virtual meeting details, hear Commissioner’s comments and deliberations on the COGCC YouTube Channel, or to learn more, please visit the ECMC website.