Target: Roy H. Otto, City Manager of Greeley, Colorado
Goal: Do not finalize construction of potentially harmful oil and gas wells
Greeley, Colorado is located at the heart of the state’s richest oil and gas lands. Mineral Resources, an oil and natural gas producer, has received initial approval to set up drilling operations (involving 33 new oil and gas wells) about 750 feet from Frontier Academy Elementary School. There are nearly 700 active and inactive wells in the city, with plans for at least 250 more in the vicinity.
Greeley has not welcomed oil and gas drilling with open arms. In 1985, the city tried to ban drilling, but the Colorado Supreme Court decided against it seven years later. This court case is cited by the state as “the reason local governments cannot regulate oil and gas operations.” Now, the scope and size of these operations in Colorado have expanded dramatically. Matt Lepore, executive director of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission states that “it has been a runaway train.”
This increase in drilling could negatively impact the surrounding community. Studies have found traces of “hundreds of chemicals, some of them toxic, coming off oil and gas operations.” Furthermore, while the company claims to use various techniques to dampen noise and reduce fumes, neighbors say the wells are noticeable. Bob Winkler, a city resident, states that “there are times you can smell it and hear it.” The heat from the combusters is also constant.
In an effort to discourage a future of uncontrolled oil and gas extraction, Greeley and the state of Colorado must consider slowing down the development of drilling operations until studies can confirm that these practices do not put the surrounding community at serious risk. By signing this petition, you are demanding that plans to set up drilling operations near Frontier Academy Elementary School are not finalized.
Dear Mr. Otto,
Recently, Mineral Resources received initial approval to build 33 new oil and gas wells near Frontier Academy Elementary School. This increase in drilling could negatively impact the surrounding community. Studies have found traces of hundreds of chemicals, some of them toxic, coming off oil and gas operations. Furthermore, while the company claims to use various techniques to dampen noise and reduce fumes, neighbors say the wells are noticeable. City residents want assurances that drilling operations near the school will follow the highest industry standard.
The executive director of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission has argued that your city should slow down its construction of oil and gas wells. New oil and gas regulations will go into effect in soon, yet they may not come in time for the Frontier Academy. Even though your city may not have much say in the manner, I am demanding that you do your best to make sure that plans to drill near Frontier Academy Elementary School are not finalized until further inquiry can determine that this practice will not harm city residents and the environment.
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Jim Thornton via Wikimedia Commons