Two articles by Mark Hand that explain the fight in our community.

Community fights massive drilling site planned near public school in low-income area (March 16)

Colorado’s oil and gas industry goes after reporters and signature gatherers in new fracking fight

With large oil and gas reserves, Colorado often is at the center of the nation’s fossil fuel wars. (August 16)

1] Blessed are those who live simply, for they enable others to live as well; it is they who will inherit the earth.

2] Blessed are the teachers and critical thinkers, for they patiently ensure the next generation is eco-literate, understands interconnection, and feels empathy for all living things.

3] Blessed are the students, for they inherit the mistakes of their elders and shoulder more than their fair share of the collective burden as we forge a new way forward.

4] Blessed are our responsive policy-makers, civil servants, politicians, organizers, and volunteers, for they love our community and build civic capacity and participation.

5] Blessed are the so-called radical fringe and activist streak, for they patrol the precipice, preventing deniers from falling into the abyss of willful ignorance at the edge of the flat world.

6] Blessed are the groups that spring from the grass, as did Weld Air and Water, may these groups thrive and persevere so that the seventh generation hence knows that someone—we–cared.

7] Blessed are those who drove here today using fossil fuels, for though they support systemic change, they have few choices; may affordable renewable options be readily available soon now yesterday!

8] Blessed are those who quietly work to change things from within, incognito and afraid to lose their jobs, friends, or standing, for theirs is the most difficult and compromised road to travel.

9] Blessed are those who walk, bike, recycle, and compost for they serve as role models for us all.

10] Blessed are the renewable energy innovators, entrepreneurs, green job creators, and researchers; the future belongs to them.

11] Blessed are the tree huggers, for they are not ashamed to show love by throwing their arms around the world.

12] Blessed are those who brave the elements in order to march for the earth, for they shall be honored by the planting of a forest of huggable trees.

13] Blessed are the couch surfers who got off their behinds to become the change they wished to see, for in them is the hope and fate of the entire world.

Blessed be!

Wendy Highby
People’s Climate March
April 29, 2017

FRACTURED, Part V: Trouble in Triple Creek

Colorado Independent November 2

Over the past decade, Colorado has grappled with how to balance the enormous economic value of oil and gas production, including tax revenues and jobs, with its unwanted impacts on residential communities and the environment. FRACTURED is a new series by The Colorado Independent that examines the science, politics and humanity of oil and gas development and explores its impacts on Coloradans around the state.

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Analysis of Colorado setbacks on Fracktracker

Weld County: A Closer Look

Weld County has experienced dramatic oil and gas development, with increasing infrastructure permitted closer and closer to residents’ homes and communities. Currently, there are over 12,200 directional wells in Weld County and over 35,300 wells in total. The map below uses data accessed from the COGGC on April 7^th, 2016 and address points data from Weld County. The address points are located within the center of homes, and while setbacks distances are measured from the center of the well pad to the nearest wall of the building, the address points still demonstrate the proximity and danger of encroaching infrastructure. The map identifies directional wells permitted within the designated setback of 500 feet and the buffer zone of 1,000 feet and pending directional wells within proposed 1,000 and 2,500-foot setbacks. 

http://maps.fractracker.org/latest/?appid=857b8a7106194e739e723b23ae8c4473

Triple Creek Action is asking for concerned citizens to file complaints with the COGCC

File your complaint here:

http://cogcc.state.co.us/complaints.html#/complaints

**Under “Type of Complaint”, select “Other” and type in “Location”.**

They have established a GoFundMe campaign for help with their legal fees.

https://www.gofundme.com/28u9q5bu

More information is available on the Triple Creek Action FaceBook page https://www.facebook.com/triplecreekaction/?fref=ts

Here is the form to sign up for the Quality of Life Study co-sponsored by WAW and the Colorado School of Public Health. Please print and post.

Explanatory Letter

Weld Air and Water, a local grassroots group, has monitored the Governor’s Oil & Gas Task Force proceedings and eagerly anticipates the February 27th report. We appreciate Governor Hickenlooper’s attempt to facilitate compromise among the factions and agree with the Tribune Editorial Board’s February 12th op-ed statement: “if the task force falls short, we hope the Legislature will take up the issue with meaningful, pragmatic, bipartisan legislation. If our elected leaders fail to act, voters will.” Indeed, people should act to preserve their quality of life. Most Coloradans, regardless of party affiliation, share a belief in the importance of environmental stewardship, local control of zoning, and a sustainable, stable economy. But energy-related legislative votes tend to cleave along party lines and given the even split in our State legislature, a stalemate seems likely. Seeking solutions, not stalemate, Weld Air and Water has formed an alliance with grassroots groups in Windsor and Western Slope communities. We are asking for a meeting with the Governor, knowing that administrative and legislative solutions are preferable to amendment of the State Constitution.

Weld Air and Water is a diverse group of all political affiliations. We specifically oppose high-intensity fracking in proximity to schools and residences. We are not anti-fracking per se; in fact, among us there are mineral leaseholders. Some signed immediately, while others delayed and then eventually signed because of the specter of forced pooling. We figured that if we can’t beat them, we might as well join them and receive the signing bonus. Many of us were rewarded for our hesitancy when a third party offered us a signing bonus and royalty rate superior to the substandard rate offered by the drilling company. I know of one household planning to donate their signing bonus to Energy Outreach Colorado, a non-profit organization that helps low-income Coloradans pay heating bills and improve energy efficiency. Like that donor, you too can make a difference. If you haven’t acted yet, now is the time. The meaning of the truism–if you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem–was made clear to me recently. An honest friend pointed out that in spite of my environmental idealism, in my actions I am quite average and culpable. I worked for an automotive quick-lube chain for many years. I fly when I should take Amtrak, leaving a huge carbon footprint. We are all enmeshed in a complex system that encourages codependence upon oil and gas. Litmus tests of ideological purity and demonizing rhetoric are unproductive. Instead it is helpful to examine oneself, our shared systemic problems, and the scientific research. We, the moderate citizens of Colorado, can be a part of the solution. We can take mass transit, buy solar panels, or get an energy audit. And we can tell the Governor, the Task Force, and our representatives that we support prudent regulation of the oil and gas industry.

It’s time for a “People’s Task Force,” the forging of a middle path between the extremes of greenwashing and doomsday jeremiads. It’s time to restore fairness and balance of power; the oil and gas industry should be subject to local zoning authority as is every other industry. We can safely develop oil and gas as a bridge fuel, but we need to allow the infrastructure development, environmental impact studies, and compliance and inspection systems to catch up. Increased residential setback distances and full application of local zoning authority are changes that a majority of Coloradans can support. We, the people, are willing to cooperate in a nonpartisan manner. Are industry and our politicians willing to do the same?

http://www.greeleytribune.com/news/15118793-113/highby-oil-and-gas-can-be-developed-safely-with-regulations
(Greeley Tribune login required)