** Colorado moves forward with largest oil and gas setbacks in country
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Tuesday, September 29, 2020
Oil and gas well in suburban Frederick, Colorado | Town of Frederick ([link removed])
Colorado regulators have approved a preliminary plan ([link removed]) requiring at least 2,000 feet between homes, schools, businesses and new oil and gas wells, which would be the largest setback requirement in the country. The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) is expected to formally approve the plan in early November.
The proposal includes several exceptions which could decrease required setbacks, depending on the impacts of topography or technology. Notably, the 2,000-foot setback could not be waived near schools and childcare facilities without hearings.
In 2019, the state legislature passed a landmark law changing the mission ([link removed]) of the COGCC from promoting oil and gas development to ensuring that oil and gas development is "regulated in a manner that protects public health, safety, welfare, the environment and wildlife resources." Under its new mandate, the body is now considering a slew of proposals to reduce pollution from and increase oversight of the oil and gas industry.
Quick hits
** Pendley court ruling could unravel Trump's public lands decisions
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The Hill ([link removed])
** State economists find Wyoming communities, energy industry hammered by pandemic
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Casper Star-Tribune ([link removed])
** Supreme Court to hear range of environmental cases, from Western water to climate
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Bloomberg Law ([link removed])
** Colorado regulators preliminarily approve largest oil and gas well setbacks in country
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Denver Post ([link removed]) | Colorado Politics ([link removed])
** Record temperatures draw 'heat tourists' to Death Valley National Park
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Los Angeles Times ([link removed])
** Pandemic closures, bankruptcies rattle Western refining towns
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E&E News ([link removed])
** Major Western oil companies merge, signaling increase in industry consolidation
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Forbes ([link removed])
Quote of the day
[The temperature] would be stuck at 129 and then all of a sudden it would go up to 130 and everyone would run out of their cars to take a picture”
—Dan Markham ([link removed]) on 'heat tourists' at Death Valley National Park
Picture this
Super bloom in California's Carrizo Plain National Monument
Bureau of Land Management ([link removed])
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