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Colorado Regulators Approve Controversial Oil and Gas Wells Near Aurora Reservoir
The 3-2 vote follows months of hearings and trims the project to 24 wells after Crestone cut the original plan from 32.
- On Tuesday, the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission voted 3-2 to approve a controversial 24-well drilling operation by Crestone Peak Resources approximately 3,000 feet from hundreds of Aurora homes near the Aurora Reservoir.
- Following a December regulatory stay, Crestone reduced the project from 32 to 24 wells after the ECMC demanded an alternative site analysis; attorney Jamie Jost called the location the "most vetted, most analyzed" option available.
- Neighborhood group Save the Aurora Reservoir fought the proposal for three years, with spokesperson Randy Willard stating the decision proves the system is "badly broken" despite 2019's Senate Bill 181 reforms.
- Commissioners Trisha Oeth and John Messner voted against the permit, with Messner suggesting intense public pushback could eventually drive legislative shifts in how the state manages oil and gas standards.
- Activists from STAR and 350 Colorado warn the fight is not over, telling CBS Colorado "the people of our state are not done, and there will be repercussions." The operator estimates drilling will begin by year's end and span 327 days.
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Drilling site near Aurora Reservoir approved despite opposition from residents
After an eight-month battle by residents around the Aurora Reservoir to get a proposed oil and gas drill site to move farther away from homes, industry regulators Tuesday approved the operator’s plan, saying it met all the state requirements. The Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission voted 3-2 to approve Crestone Peak Resources’ plan to drill 24 wells on the State Sunlight-Long drill pad. The oil and gas site was opposed by area resid…
·Colorado, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources11
Leaning Left3Leaning Right0Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution62% Center
Bias Distribution
- 62% of the sources are Center
62% Center
L 38%
C 62%
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