GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-August / Mid-September 2010, Page 9
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Battlement Concerned Citizens assembles resource list Who to call for oil and gas industry concerns and impacts By Ron Galterio, co-chair, Battlement Concerned Citizens As oil and gas industry operations move closer and closer to residential communities, more people’s lives are being impacted by those operations. The Battlement Concerned Citizens (BCC) has compiled a list of telephone numbers of government agencies that citizens may contact to report incidents or complaints that involve the oil and gas industry. These agencies have the responsibility to investigate complaints and intervene when oil and gas operations are suspected of not being in compliance with existing rules and regulations. If you are experiencing any adverse impacts to your health or the environment, contact the appropriate agency. In all cases, you should notify the Garfield County Oil and Gas Department and the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. Both of these agencies maintain databases of incidents and complaints that can help identify problem trends and lead to better regulations that protect the public health and environment.
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Oil and Gas Update Noxious fumes and odors trigger inspection
According to a story by Dennis Webb of the Grand Junction Sentinel, Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) on July 21 issued Antero Resources a notice for alleged violations discovered during an inspection of Antero’s Watson Ranch well pad near the Battlement Mesa Schoolhouse.
The inspection was triggered by numerous complaints from the public about noxious fumes and odors that have caused some people to become sick.
“Split Estate” nominated for Emmy
On July 15, “Split Estate,” a documentary featuring western Garfield County and the split-estate issue, that is, surface land and mineral rights that are often “split” between landowners and natural gas extraction interests, received a nomination for an Emmy Award for research within the news and documentary competition. Winners will be announced Sept. 27.
– Planet Green / Discovery Communications
Contact numbers Oil and gas concerns and incidents Emergency: Dial 911 Non-Emergency: Garfield County Oil and Gas Department - 625-5915 Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission: Local - 625-2497 ext. 6 Statewide - 888-235-1101 Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment 24-hour hotline - 877-518-5608 (all issues) Air quality complaints - 303-692-3253 Pipeline Safety – incident reporting Colorado Public Utilities Commission - 800-456-0858 U.S. Pipeline Safety Administration - 800-424-8802 Community Counts – industry-operated program - 866-442-9034 EPA Eyes on Drilling (anonymous tip line to report illegal disposal of wastes or other oil and gas activity concerns) - 877-919-4372 or e-mail - eyesondrilling@epa.gov Other concerns and incidents: Garfield County Sheriff - 625-8095 Grand Valley Fire Protection District - 285-9119 For more information call Ron Galterio at 285-0243 or Dave Devanney at 285-2263.
Natural gas vehicle conversion now available in Rifle
With compressed natural gas (CNG) stations making their way to Rifle, Rocky Mountain Alternative Fueling and Swallow Oil has created CNG Conversions of Colorado. According to Brittany Beaudry of CNG Conversions of Colorado, the conversion company is the only authorized and licensed CNG-installation facility on the Western Slope. “When we learned that we would be involved in putting some of the first CNG converted fleet vehicles on the road in this area, we were ecstatic,” Brittany says. “With new CNG fill stations arriving in the fall, we couldn’t think of a better time.” With the first four conversion requests already placed, CNG Conversions of Colorado and Western Slope Trailer Sales are enthused to be involved in such an impactful venture. The benefits of compressed natural gas are plentiful and include decreased fleet vehicle maintenance by up to 40 percent, reduced fuel costs up to 50 percent, reduced emissions and pollutants, less reliability on foreign oil, and increased use of natural gas resources. According to Brittany, Colorado is said to be one of the most generous states regarding tax credits and rebates for alternative fuel vehicle conversion. Depending on the gross vehicle weight, Colorado rebates can range anywhere from $1,947 to more than $13,000. Brittany says the federal government offers additional rebates. “We couldn’t be more proud to offer this cutting-edge service and help pave the way for a cleaner, greener Colorado,” says Brittany. For more information regarding CNG Conversions of Colorado, contact cngconversionsofcolorado@yahoo.com. – Rifle Area Chamber of Commerce
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