Director Submits 2022 “Report on the Evaluation of Cumulative Impacts” to the Commission
Denver, CO (Mar. 01, 2023) - The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) today announced the Director has delivered its “Report on the Evaluation of Cumulative Impacts,” as required by SB 19-181 to regulate oil and gas development in a manner that is protective of public health, safety, welfare, wildlife and environmental resources.
The annual report is intended to inform the Commission of data, trends, and considerations in the ongoing evaluation of cumulative impacts. The report uses the Cumulative Impacts Data Evaluation Repository (CIDER) which includes data from the 47 Oil & Gas Development Plans (OGDPs) approved by the Commission in 2022. The Director also presented the process for integrating feedback about this report into the Commission’s broader stakeholder outreach process that is considering how the Commission continues to evaluate and address the potential for cumulative impacts consistent with SB 19-181.
“We are very proud to present this annual report, which includes significant improvements in data and information provided, and serves as a tool for the Commission and all stakeholders to best understand the impacts of oil and gas development and production,” said COGCC Director Murphy. “We recognize that there is additional improvement to be done on the continued evaluation of cumulative impacts. The presentation and data contained in the cumulative impacts report will continue to transform with each iteration with evolving data, assessment tools and knowledge.”
This report has grown significantly from the first report with the inclusion of more robust analysis reflective of the larger data set within CIDER, the ability to review year-over-year information, and additional information as requested by the Commission. It includes data from more wells, locations, OGDPs, including addressing high priority habitats and more.
COGCC used the 47 Oil & Gas Development Plans (OGDPs) approved in 2022 as the basis of this report’s data evaluation. Future reports will grow by including the data from any new OGDPs including those from approved Comprehensive Area Plans approved by the Commission and additional information as agreed upon by the Commission and Director. In addition, COGCC continues to accept technical information that would enhance future reports; to submit this information, please visit the COGCC website.
Additional information on this report is provided in the Director’s Letter, which is found in the report.
Next Steps and Additional Information:
- COGCC Director Julie Murphy presented to the Commission on the 2022 Report at the Weekly Hearing on March 1
- 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)) by clicking HERE
- March 15: Commissioner Ackerman will share with the Commission the results of the Cumulative Impacts Stakeholder outreach process
- April 10th Commission Hearing: Public comment will be taken specific to the Report on the Evaluation of Cumulative Impacts. Commissioners will discuss cumulative impacts including dialogue with the Director.
- May TBD: Commissioner Ackerman to share next steps for the Cumulative Impacts Stakeholder Process.
- Visit the COGCC Cumulative Impacts webpage: https://cogcc.state.co.us/library.html#/cumulativeimpacts and the ECMC website for more information.
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.