Energy and Carbon Management Commission publishes six studies in 2024
Denver, CO (Dec. 30, 2024) - As the state of Colorado addresses climate change and sets a path forward for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, the General Assembly in 2019 put in place a new mission for the Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC). ECMC now regulates not only the oil and gas energy development sector but also emerging sectors of geothermal and carbon storage — and does so in a manner that protects public health, safety, welfare, the environment and wildlife resources. The Colorado General Assembly further directed ECMC’s expert staff to conduct a series of studies about these energy technologies so that the regulations of these new and emerging technologies can allow for the safe deployment of those industries in Colorado.
In 2024, ECMC published the following six studies:
- Carbon Capture and Storage: Safety and Impact Considerations from Source to Sequestration (February 2024)
- Colorado Regulation of Underground Storage and Transport of Hydrogen (July 2024)
- Geothermal in Colorado: Resources, Use Strategies, and Impact Considerations (July 2024)
- Pipeline Report for the State of Colorado: Considerations for Pipeline Safety and Siting (December 2024)
- Regulation of Geothermal Resources in Colorado: A Legislative Proposal (December 2024)
- Subsurface Injection Regulation: Program Design and Implementation Considerations for the State of Colorado (December 2024)
The 100+ page studies include original and compiled research such as geologic models, policy recommendations, economic impacts, industry incentives, cumulative impacts assessments, and more. The studies inform statewide policy and regulations. In turn, those regulations determine the ways in which these industries can operate in a safe and protective manner.
ECMC published the studies in collaboration with experts from other state agencies, industry leaders, national contractors, local stakeholders, local governments, operators, environmental consultants, and others. In total, ECMC hosted more than 150 stakeholder meetings during the research phases of these studies to integrate as much expert feedback as possible.
ECMC has published dozens of studies and reports recently. The expert authors of these studies are available for media interviews upon request.
“It’s been a privilege to lead the development of these reports and I’m grateful to the many collaborators who contributed to our work,” said Michael Rigby, Geothermal/CCUS Programs Coordinator at ECMC. “This is essential research and I’m optimistic these studies will help guide Colorado to a net-zero emissions future.”
As the scope of ECMC’s regulatory authority expands, ECMC’s team has grown from 115 positions in 2019 to more than 200 positions today. The scope of expertise amongst ECMC employees is vast: from engineers to geologists to environmental scientists to environmental justice experts to GIS planners to lawyers and policy experts. To date, 44 percent of ECMC employees hold master’s or doctoral degrees. ECMC is presently recruiting for several positions. The agency limits recruitment to Colorado residents to support the hiring of local talent.
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.