Colorado Petroleum Council defends oil and gas industry in the state

An appeals court decision could hinder the state of Colorado’s goal for environmental safety and economic progress, according to the Colorado Petroleum Council. The organization’s executive director said the state has contributed to the lower carbon emissions rate for the country.

“As the seventh-largest producer of oil and natural gas in the country, a collaborative, successful regulatory process is a major part of the state’s environmental and economic success. By enabling greater production of clean-burning natural gas, hydraulic fracturing contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” Tracee Bentley was quoted as saying.

“As a result, the United States is leading the world in reducing carbon emissions, which are near 20-year lows,”
Bentley said, adding that most activists have ignored the facts “as they pursue a nonsensical and economy-destroying political agenda."

“For Colorado residents, achieving environmental protection with economic security is not about politics. It’s about our daily life and livelihood, and preserving the land where we live and work," Bentley said. "When it comes to responsible and safe energy development, Colorado has a proven record, and we’ll continue to build upon that legacy.”

According to the API, Colorado’s oil and gas industry brings in $1.6 billion for the state and has been responsible for creating over 200,000 jobs.