summary
Introduced
02/13/2024
02/13/2024
In Committee
02/13/2024
02/13/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
03/28/2024
03/28/2024
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2024 Regular Session
Bill Summary
On or before July 1, 2027, section 2 of the bill requires the energy and carbon management commission (commission) to adopt rules (permitting rules) to cease issuing new oil and gas permits (permits) before January 1, 2030, which rules must include certain reductions in the total number of oil and gas wells covered by new permits issued in 2028 and 2029. Section 2 also requires the commission to include as a condition in any permit issued after July 1, 2024, that certain operations must commence on or before December 31, 2032, as to each oil and gas well included in the permit. If the commission determines that mitigation of adverse environmental impacts is necessary as a result of oil and gas operations, current law requires the commission to issue an order requiring a responsible party to perform the mitigation. If the responsible party refuses to perform the mitigation or is identified after the state provides funds for the mitigation, the commission must sue the responsible party to recover the costs of the mitigation. Section 3 changes current law by: ! Expanding mitigation to include mitigation of adverse environmental impacts as a result of any activity regulated by the commission; ! Adding a prior owner or operator to the definition of "responsible party"; and ! Allowing a current or prior owner or operator to be held jointly and severally liable for the costs of any mitigation. Section 4 requires the office of future of work to present recommendations as a result of the adoption of the permitting rules to the general assembly in January 2028.
AI Summary
This bill:
1. Requires the Energy and Carbon Management Commission (the Commission) to adopt rules by July 1, 2027, to cease issuing new oil and gas permits before January 1, 2030. The rules must include a consistent reduction in the number of new permits issued in 2028 and 2029.
2. Requires the Commission to include a condition in any permit issued after July 1, 2024, that drilling, deepening, reentering, or recompletion operations must commence by December 31, 2032.
3. Expands the definition of "responsible party" to include prior owners or operators, and allows the Commission to hold responsible parties jointly and severally liable for the costs of any necessary mitigation of adverse environmental impacts resulting from activities regulated by the Commission.
4. Requires the Office of the Future of Work to present recommendations to the legislature in January 2028 regarding any further evaluation, study, or action necessary as a result of the new rules on oil and gas permits.
The bill aims to phase out new oil and gas permits in Colorado, citing the need to address the public health and environmental impacts of oil and gas production, while also ensuring that the costs of remediating and decommissioning oil and gas activities are borne by the industry rather than the public.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (4)
Last Action
Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee Hearing (00:00:00 3/28/2024 Room SCR 352) (on 03/28/2024)
Official Document
bill text
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