Help Maintain a Quiet Colorado

On September 18 or 19th, the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) Commissioners will be reconsidering their Dec. 2005 decision to lower the allowable noise level to 45 dBA in rural/agricultural/residential areas. 

Ask the COGCC Commissioners to protect the quality of life for those living with oil and gas development.  Encourage them to stay strong on the noise rule and uphold the 45 decibel provision! 

• background
• what you can do
• for more information

BACKGROUND

• At the December, 2005 Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission hearing, after hours of testimony and presentations, the Commission passed a suite of changes to the oil and gas noise rule that were a benefit to landowners. These changes included a provision to lower the allowable night-time noise level in rural/agricultural/residential areas to 45 decibel (dBA), measured at 350 feet from the noise source. [The changes did not decrease noise from drilling, fracking or work-over operations.]
  
• At the February, 2006, COGCC hearing, the Colorado Oil and Gas Association (COGA) challenged the 45 dBA provision. Due to problems with the proposed rule, the COGCC was forced to re-open the noise rule, and re-hear the 45 dBA provision. Read COGA's submission asking COGCC to reconsider the noise rule.
  
• At the September, 2006 hearing, COGCC staff will be presenting data on noise measurements taken over the spring and summer of 2006; and they will present some cost-benefit information related to the potential implementation of the 45 dBA provision.  Given the industry's profits, and our research on actual costs of noise abatement, we believe that the industry can afford to lower its noise level to 45 decibels.

YOUR COMMENTS ARE NEEDED!

Public input was very important in 2005, during the first round of noise rule revisions, and it remains important to ensure that COGCC Commissioners not be swayed by industry pressure, and that they stand firm on their December decision to reduce the allowable night-time noise level to 45 dBA.  

The public voice is an important counterpoint to industry's arguments.  Most likely, industry is going to argue that it is too expensive to mitigate noise to this level.  It is important to have affected people speaking out about how noise has affected their lives and how important it is that the state does something to bring peace and normalcy back to their lives by reducing noise from oil and gas operations.  

Read letters that have recently been submitted by landowners to COGCC.

Please submit your written comments to the COGCC, or come to Denver, Colorado and give an oral statement.

• For tips on writing a comment letter (e.g., talking points), and more background information on this issue, please download the following document -TAKE ACTION ON NOISE.

SEND COMMENTS TO THE COGCC COMMISSIONERS:

• Submit your letter on the COGCC 510 statement form.  If these forms are submitted by  September 13, they will go into the Commissioners' hearing packets, and the Commissioners will have time to read them prior to the hearing).  When filling out the form, the "cause number" is 1R, and the "docket number" is 0609-RM-02.
• Mail the form to:  1120 Lincoln Street, Suite 801, Denver, CO, 80203.
• Email letters to:  jan.missey@state.co.us (please c.c. lisa@ogap.org)
• FAX to:  c/o COGCC (303) 894-2109.
• Note:  COGCC asks that you submit your orginal letter, plus 9 copies (for the Commissioners).

ATTEND THE HEARING

Attending the actual hearing would be invaluable and if you can make it to Denver please do. You don't need to sign up in advance, just sign up when you get to the hearing room.

The hearing will be held:   

• September 18 or 19 *, 2006
  COGCC hearing room, 1120 Lincoln Street, Suite 801 (For directions, call COGCC:  888-235-1101)

* As we get closer to the date, we will receive an agenda and know exactly which day and at approximately what time the noise rule will be heard.  Please stay in touch with us and contact lisa@ogap.org or COGCC (Trisha Beaver, 1-888-235-1101) the week before for more information.

For More Information