DENVER Washington came to Colorado on Wednesday as a debate rages about who should regulate gas and oil drilling.
After a day of debates that included a congressional hearing at the state Capitol, this much is clear: Republicans and the energy industry want the states to be in charge, while Democrats and environmentalists want more oversight from local governments and the federal government.
A Republican congressional committee held a field hearing at the state Capitol to decry proposed federal oversight of hydraulic fracturing. Later in the day, state representatives were scheduled to vote on a Republican bill to punish cities and counties that stand in the way of drilling, as well as a Democratic bill to strengthen state rules about fracking.
U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Cortez, joined the hearing of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources and said he saw common ground among the industrys supporters and critics.
We want to make sure that its safe. We recognize the need to be able to create jobs and be able to create energy certainty in the United States of America, and to be able to create that common sense win-win, Tipton said.
However, the two sides didnt agree on much.
U.S. Rep. Rush Holt, D-N.J., sharply questioned a Utah state official who said her state knows of no contamination from fracking.
I find often in these cases people say, well, there hasnt been any contamination. Well, thats maybe because they havent looked, Holt said.
Although most of the outcry over fracking has revolved around possible water pollution, Holt pointed to a recent Colorado School of Public Health study that warned of toxic air pollution risks.
State Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg, R-Sterling, told congressmen the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission has been effective at regulating the industry and promoting good relationships with local communities.
I can assure you that a one-size fits all regulatory structure at the federal level will be devastating to the energy industry in Colorado, Sonnenberg said.
Holt questioned that.
Do Coloradans react differently to contaminated water? Does the physiology of a Coloradan react differently to carcinogens? Holt said.
Sonnenberg answered that different areas of the country have different topography and soil types that are best regulated at the state level.
Closer to home, Sonnenberg is sponsoring a state bill to withhold severance tax money from cities and counties that adopt drilling moratoriums. However, his bill appeared to face long odds, thanks to opposition from Democrats and a few Republicans, including Rep. J. Paul Brown,
Later in the day, Senate Democrats planned to advance a bill to tighten state rules on fracking. However, it has little chance of passing the GOP-led House.