Denver, CO (Mar. 11, 2022) - The Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) today announced that Commissioner Priya Nanjappa will move on from her COGCC role, where she served as the Commissioner with experience in environmental protection, wildlife protection or reclamation. Nanjappa is pursuing a new employment opportunity and was appointed in July 2020, by Gov. Polis to be one of the first full-time commissioners for the COGCC, as called for by SB 19-181, for a term ending June 30, 2022.
“I want to recognize Commissioner Nanjappa for her outstanding work to help with this historic transition to a professional commission,” said Dan Gibbs, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. “She helped to deliver robust protections for Colorado under the SB 19-181 rulemaking effort and Colorado has the nation’s strongest rules in oil and gas. We wish her all the best and thank her for all her work at the COGCC.”
The Commission is implementing SB 19-181, which changed the mission of the COGCC from “fostering” oil and gas to “regulating” in a manner that is protective of public health, safety, welfare, wildlife and the environment.
“We want to thank Commissioner Nanjappa for bringing the environmental and wildlife voice to the rulemakings and for her decision-making in the new Oil and Gas Development Permit process,” said Jeff Robbins, COGCC Chair. “Her knowledge and experience helped to shape policy that will now deliver protections to all of Colorado. Best of luck to her in the future and we thank her for serving on the Commission.”
As a Commissioner, Nanjappa participated in two rulemakings mandated by SB 19-181, Mission Change and Financial Assurance, as well as general business matters of the Commission. She served as a liaison with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, facilitated a biological resources working group and its associated report, and was involved in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion efforts at the division and the Department.
"It has been a true honor and a pleasure to be appointed by Gov. Polis to serve Colorado this inaugural full-time Commission. I thoroughly enjoyed the work, and the opportunity to engage with all of the incredibly passionate stakeholders. I come away with great respect and admiration for them, and especially for the COGCC Staff and my fellow Commissioners," said COGCC Priya Nanjappa.
Nanjappa will begin a position with the National Parks Conservation Association as the Vice President of Conservation Programs at the end of March, and will remain in Colorado. Her last day with the Commission is March 15.
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.