Oil & Gas Drilling

North Fork of the Gunnison: The BLM is planning an August 2012 lease of 30,000 acres in 22 parcels for oil & gas development in the North Fork Valley of the Gunnison River. Organic farming, water and air quality are all threatened. Comments will be accepted until January 9 at the Uncompahgre Field Office, 2465 S Townsend, Montrose CO 81401. Plan to attend on of two community meetings in early January.

Hydraulic Fracturing Linked for First Time to Groundwater Pollution Denver Post, 12/9/11

Whitewater Drilling Unit: The BLM held an open house in Grand Junction in early November to solicit comments on a drilling proposal from Fram Operating, LLC.

If this sounds familiar, it is because it is. In 2008 Fram originally sought approval to drill 492 gas wells in the Whitewater Unit. The new proposal seeks approval to drill oil wells, instead of gas wells, in the same area.

A new air quality report features WCC members, and shows natural gas is not clean... Thanks Global Community Monitor and San Juan Citizens Alliance for your teamwork! Citizen Samples Confirm Neighboring Communities at Risk [July 12, 2011]

• New air study finds dangerous chemicals near gas drilling communities [Colorado Independent, 7/13/11]
• Toxins found in air, study blames oil & gas industry [KJCT News, 7/13/11]
• Report: Hydrogen sulfide detected in air at Silt Mesa [Valley News, 7/14/11]

Renewables

Good news for Colorado consumers: According to a major new report from Synapse Energy Economics for the nonprofit Civil Society Institute, the current and projected price of coal has increased, and the price of photovoltaic systems has fallen sharply since 2009, a result of unprecedented growth globally. Now is the time to switch from coal to green energy! [Read more]

[Read full report]

Public Lands

Whitehouse Expansion of Mt Sneffels Wilderness: US Senator Mark Udall introduced the San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act on Sept. 27 in Congress and US Senator Bennet co-sponsored the bill! Now we need to urge Congressman Scott Tipton to introduce it in the House as soon as possible.  Thanks to all our members who turned out for Tipton's Sept. 30 meeting in Ouray. If you missed that opportunity, send your comments to Tipton today!

[Read more...]

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