Take Note!

Public Lands: Submit your comments by January 9th on the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) revised management plan for its Grand Junction Field Office – 1.2 million acres of public land in Mesa County and parts of Garfield, Montrose and Delta counties.  This plan will guide agency decisions on everything from wildlife and recreation to air quality and energy development for the next 15 to 20 years. 

Oil Shale: WCC has taken steps toward potential litigation against the federal government over commercial oil shale development.  WCC recently signed a “Notice of Intent,” a letter addressed to the US Department of Interior, expressing concerns associated with promulgated commercial oil shale regulations for public lands.  Some of the concerns cited within the letter include potential Endangered Species Act and National Environmental Policy Act violations.

For more information on WCC’s responsible energy campaigns, contact Frank Smith (970) 256-7650.

Renewable Energy: “Dear President-elect Obama: We are a network of community organizers and grassroots-based organizations in every region of the country working for clean and safe renewable energy…We write to support your stated goals to invest in clean energy and to lead the country toward a new energy economy that will address global warming, stimulate near and long term economic prosperity, and help ensure our national security….(more).”

WCC, Sheep Mountain Alliance, Western Organization of Resource Councils and Environment Colorado have all endorsed CLEAN's letter. 

Oil & Gas Drilling: In December, the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) unanimously approved final draft rules for safeguards for public health and environmental quality.  The new rules include buffer zones around waterways, mandatory record-keeping for chemicals used during exploration and production, programs that encourage comprehensive drilling plans, as well as dust and odor mitigation.

Colorado lawmakers have the final word on the new rules, and they need to hear your voice during the 2009 Colorado General Assembly.  After months of member participation and countless volunteer hours, we can’t let our hard work be for naught. 

The COGCC chose to defer certain, more “controversial” aspects of the Draft Rules until early 2009.  These rules include: setbacks from homes, reclamation of disturbed lands, and best management practices for wildlife (terrestrial and aquatic).  An additional rulemaking process is expected to begin in January and continue through spring 2009.  

WCC in the News

Environmental mishaps precede round of hearings (7/14/08 Rocky Mountain News) WCC member Joyce Wizer says industrial missteps point to need for new regulations.

Natural gas powers debate growing in Sullivan County (6/28/08 Mid-Hudson News, New York) WCC member Peggy Utesch shares her experiences with concerned citizens in New York.

Public floods oil, gas hearing (6/11/08 Grand Junction Daily Sentinel)

Salazars introduce Dominguez-Escalante NCA (5/22/08 Grand Junction Free Press)

Allard pushes for oil shale development in western Colorado (5/2/08 Glenwood Springs Post Independent)