Legislative Republicans warned the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission today not to usurp the General Assembly's role in drafting new rules governing the energy industry in Colorado.  They also reminded the panel to consider the impact some of its regulations could have on the state's already-faltering economy.

Assistant Senate GOP chief Greg Brophy, of Wray, joined with newly elected Mesa County Rep. Laura Bradford in calling on the COGCC not to stand in the way of the state's energy economy--virtually its only growth sector at present.

The two rural lawmakers said the rules the commission comes up with could have potentially dire effects on the job market and revenue flowing into state coffers.

The commission began its final approval process for the new rules this week.  Although the legislature is supposed to review the regulations before they go into effect, the commission proposed allowing three rules to start on an interim basis this January, before the General Assembly convenes.
"We need to make sure the rules have the full and fair hearing they deserve," Brophy said. "These rules have to be a part of the lawmaking process and should be subject to the approval of the elected representatives of the people."

Both Bradford and Brophy said they represent districts in Colorado whose economies would be adversely affected by rules passed by the commission restricting energy development.  Both legislators also stressed the economy statewide will suffer if the COGCC continues its insular rulemaking process with a hostile attitude toward the oil and gas industry.

The Republican lawmakers also pointed out they and their legislative colleagues will have final approval over any regulations the COGCC recommends.
In 2007, the commission was reconfigured by to exclude oil and gas industry representatives.  House Bill 1341, sponsored by Democrat Rep. Kathleen Curry and Sen. Jim Isgar,  passed in both chambers and was signed into law by Gov. Bill Ritter, also a Democrat.  The majority of Republicans opposed the measure.
"Ever since the oil and gas commission was overhauled, it's acted like it has sole governing power over Colorado's energy sector, but the fact is all the rules it makes must be approved by us, the elected representatives of the people," Brophy said.

Another critic of the fast-tracking of the controversial new oil and gas rules, Senate GOP leader Josh Penry,

agreed that the commission's pending changes could further undermine an already-unraveling state economy.

"I don't know if the oil and gas commission reads the paper, but we don't need another job-killer right now," said Penry, of Grand Junction.

"There has been a lot of talk at the State Capitol in the last six weeks about creating  jobs," Penry said. "This is a litmus test for all of that bold talk. Do we really want to create jobs, or risk strangling the only industry that is moving the ball forward in our economy right now?"