Take Note!

Oil & Gas Drilling: On March 25, the Colorado Senate passed House Bill 1292, which provides a broad series of new protections to safeguard the state’s public health, environment and wildlife!

The new safeguards embody common-sense approaches such asprohibiting new oil and gas facilities within 300 feet of a public water supply, requiring companies to identify chemicals used in drilling and opening communication between oil and gas operators, the Colorado Division of Wildlife and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Please take a couple of minutes to thank your state legislators for voting in favor of these rules. Western Slope legislators who supported the bill include:

• REPRESENTATIVES:
• Kathleen Curry, 303-866-2945: [D-61] Gunnison, Hinsdale, Pitkin, Garfield & Eagle Counties
• Ellen Roberts, 303-866-2914: [R-59] La Plata, Montezuma, San Juan & Archuleta Counties
• Christine Scanlan, 303-866-2952: [D-56] Eagle, Lake & Summit Counties
• SENATORS:
• Dan Gibbs, 303-866-4873: [D-16] Grand, Summit, Gilpin, Clear Creek, Jefferson, and Boulder Counties
• Jim Isgar, 303-866-4884: [D-6] Montrose, San Miguel, Ouray, Dolores, Montezuma, Archuleta & LaPlata Co.
• Gail Schwartz, 303-866-4871: [D-5] Delta, Gunnison, Chaffee, Pitkin, Hinsdale, Mineral, Saguache, Alamosa, Rio Grande, Costilla & Conejos Counties

For more information, contact Frank at (970) 256-7650.

Public Lands: On Monday, March 30, President Obama signed the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009!!! This act includes dozens of separate public lands bills and will permanently protect more than 2 million acres of America’s wilderness, including Dominguez Canyons Wilderness Area, Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area and the backcountry of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Please call US Rep. Salazar (D-3) at 202-225-4761 or click here to thank him for his support of this important legislation!

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Clean Energy: Tri-State Generating and Transmission Association is the primary supplier of electricity to Colorado's rural electric co-operatives. The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) presently has very little oversight of Tri-State's resource planning process. Currently, Tri-State is exposing its customers to potentially significant rate increases to pay for the construction and operation of new coal-fired power plants, plus the cost of carbon emissions regulations for the life of these plants.

The PUC is seeking comments on a proposal to exert more regulatory authority over Tri-State. We are urging our members, particularly those who are served by a rural electric co-op, to send comments in support of this action by March 16. Please write to:

Colorado Public Utilities Commission
1560 Broadway Ste 250
Denver CO 80202

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Oil Shale: Unlocking the Rock includes a spot with WCC Organizer Frank Smith!

Shell Oil Co. has staked a new claim on the scenic waterway, seeking millions of gallons of H20 to support future plans for oil shale. [read more]

WCC has taken steps toward potential litigation against the federal government over commercial oil shale development.  WCC recently signed a “Notice of Intent,” a letter addressed to the US Department of Interior, expressing concerns associated with promulgated commercial oil shale regulations for public lands.  Some of the concerns cited within the letter include potential Endangered Species Act and National Environmental Policy Act violations.

For more information on WCC’s responsible energy campaigns, contact Frank Smith (970) 256-7650.

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 Obama signs bill protecting Dominguez & Escalante Canyon!