Colorado

Oil and gas industry groups in Colorado were swift in rebuking rules adopted this week by Adams County, describing them as “unreasonable” and “hasty.”

Colorado regulators last week set the first new rules under an omnibus oil and natural gas bill that was passed earlier this year.

Colorado has challenged the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) resource management plan (RMP) for the oil- and gas-rich portions of the Western Slope, alleging it doesn’t go far enough to protect the environment and local wildlife, including the sage grouse.

A federal judge has denied a motion by two environmental groups to enforce a remand order that would have halted oil and gas drilling on thousands of acres in Wyoming, with a warning to officials at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) that the court will not hesitate to issue such an order if they do not meet their regulatory obligations.

The U.S. Department of the Interior’s (DOI) Bureau of Land Management (BLM) plans to move its headquarters to Grand Junction, CO, from its current base in Washington, DC, according to Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO).

The Weld County Commission, which was against imposing more oversight on the Colorado’s oil and gas industry, unanimously agreed to establish an energy department to solidify its commitment.

Colorado energy regulators plan to consider more than three dozen recommendations to improve well integrity at the state’s 60,000-plus oil and gas wells, including improved cementing practices and regular monitoring of well pressures.

In another step to consolidate its multiple natural gas utilities in three states, Rapid City, SD-based Black Hills Corp. asked the Wyoming Public Service Commission (PSC) to review proposed rates for affiliates in the state it wants to combine.

Broomfield on Tuesday became the seventh local government in Colorado to impose some form of moratoria on oil and natural gas development in the midst of the ongoing implementation of state Senate Bill (SB) 181, which was enacted in April.