Wednesday, June 5, 2019
Aurora OKs Oil and Gas Well Project on 6-4 Vote
The
Aurora city council has given ConocoPhillips approval to drill for oil and gas
under Colorado’s new law governing such projects.
The
Aurora Sentinel reports that the council voted 6-4 Monday night on an agreement
that allows ConocoPhillips to operate 45 new well sites in Aurora. The company
already operates about 50 wells in the city.
Under
the agreement, ConocoPhillips agreed to higher reporting standards than
currently required by state rules and to respond to any odor complaints within
24 hours.
The project still needs approval from the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.
The Colorado Legislature this year enacted a new law that makes public health and the environment a top priority in considering oil and gas projects and gives local governments new powers to regulate well locations.