DENVER, CO – FEBRUARY 5: Explosion survivor Erin Martinez addresses members of the Senate Transportation & Energy committee in a hearing room for Senate Bill 19-181 on March 5, 2019 in Denver, Colorado.
A Colorado legislative committee approved a bill this week dramatically overhauling how Colorado regulates the oil and gas industry.
The approval came after a 12-hour public hearing in which the survivor of a deadly house explosion was among those who testified.
Nearly 400 people signed up to speak on the bill by Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg and fellow Democrat House Speaker KC Becker according to the Denver Post. Starting at 2 p.m. Tuesday, the Senate Transportation and Energy Committee heard from alternating panels of opponents and proponents, including people testifying via video from Grand Junction, Durango, Montrose and other sites.
After the testimony wrapped up slightly before 2 a.m. Wednesday, the committee passed the bill 4-3, with the Democrats voting for it and the Republicans voting against it. Senate Bill 19-181, which the oil and gas industry sees as a threat and proponents see as a lifeline, now goes to the Senate Finance Committee, possibly later this week.
Several hundred oil and gas employees and supporters rallied on the capitol steps before the hearing to voice their opposition to the proposal. A small group of the bill’s proponents gathered for a news conference inside.
During the hearing, opponents of the bill urged the committee to at least slow down and give people more time to review the 27-page bill, which was introduced late last week. Fenberg said there will be five more hearings on the legislation as well as debate in the full House and Senate, providing opportunities for changes and for people to weigh in.
“Is the bill perfect right now? No, it is not. Does it solve every problem? No. Is it crystal clear in every way? We have been told it is not. So we will work on this bill,” said Fenberg who offered tweaks and clarifying language before the committee voted.
But Fenberg said for him, it’s non-negotiable to dilute the bill’s main thrust — prioritizing protection of public health and safety and the environment when considering oil and gas development.
A fundamental change proposed by the legislation is the rewriting of the role of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, the main regulatory body. It would make health and safety the priority when considering development.