Dirty Fuels / Oil & Gas
We’re protecting Colorado from oil & gas drilling
Oil and gas drilling has jeopardized the health and safety of Colorado communities, especially our most marginalized neighborhoods. The increased frequency of placing oil rigs near homes and schools is turning many low-income neighborhoods and communities of color into industrial zones. Oil and gas drilling is also harmful for the lands, waters, and wildlife in the surrounding areas. We’re working to protect Coloradans from oil & gas drilling in the following ways:
Legislative:
In 2019, we worked to pass SB-181, a pivotal law which sought to increase the prioritization of public health, environmental justice, the environment, and wildlife in oil and gas operations
Regulatory:
We have worked to urge the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to pass protections that will put Colorado’s health and natural environment ahead of oil and gas profits.
The newest statewide rules passed by the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) include setbacks (safety buffers) of 2,000 feet (compared to the previous law of 500 ft) for homes, schools and riparian areas. Currently, we are monitoring these new rules and regulations to ensure that their implementation have the intended effects of SB181- to increase the prioritization of public health, racial justice, the environment, and wildlife in oil and gas operations.
Colorado Sierra Club also worked with partners and other stakeholders in February of 2021 to secure a first-in-the-nation rule to require some pneumatic control devices at oil-and-gas facilities to be retrofitted to lower methane emissions.
