Summary: September 18 2019 Environmental Action Team Meeting
Oil and Gas
Larimer County Oil and Gas Task Force
We had a discussion about whether the League should send another letter to the county commissioners about the oil and gas task force. We decided to wait to see later developments with the task force.
The Larimer Alliance will hold a forum on fracking issues at the Fort Collins Senior Center on October 14 at 7:00 PM. It will be a panel discussion covering health risks and air quality monitoring.
The COGCC is holding a series of hearings on its new regulations. These will be a various places around the state. Check the COGCC website for more information. There is a separate calendar for SB 181 events and hearings. http://cogcc.state.co.us/sb19181_calendar.html#/calendar
LOGIC – The League of Oil and Gas Impacted Coloradoans
Doug reported that there is a conference call on Thursday mornings from 8:30 to 9:30 to update on events. Contact the executive director Sara Loglin to get onto these sessions. Use the “contact” form on the group’s website: http://www.coloradologic.org/
The Air Quality Control Commission should also be issuing rules and regulations about fracking pollution.
Water Group
Seven members of the Water Group met at the headquarters of Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District in Berthoud. Brian Warner, the public information director, gave us a history of the District, when and how the Colorado Big Thompson Project (CBT) was planned and implemented, and the current status of the Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP). We then went out to the in-ground display of the CBT project, showing the different components both to the west of the continental divide for collection and storage, and the distribution parts here on the east side, which include Carter Lake and Horsetooth Reservoir. Next we went to the demonstration gardens which Northern Water has developed to promote ideas for water conservation in urban landscapes.
The surprises on the tour included Brian’s frank discussion of the escalating price of CBT shares and his analysis of the lower costs of NISP shares, once the project is built. Also we were pleased to learn about Northern Water’s efforts to promote water conservation and to educate the public about the benefits.
Another project for the Water Group will be the Stream Augmentation legislation that failed to pass in the last legislative session. Jeni Arndt was the sponsor.
Fort Collins Sustainability Group (FCSG) is concerned about the air pollution emitted by Broadcom. This is not included in the measurements that the city of Fort Collins is using to tout its air quality because “Industrial” emissions go through a separate permitting process and are self-monitored by the company. FCSG is sending another letter to city council urging that Broadcom’s emissions be included in the city’s inventory of greenhouse gasses. So far, there has been reluctance from the city staff to do that.
Other Activities
Climate Action Strike
On Friday September 20 there will be a gathering at City Hall at 10:00 AM, and then the group will reassemble at FoCoCafe at 11:00. This is part of the world-wide climate action campaign.
FC Climate Action Celebration
On Friday September 27, at 5:30 PM, in Old Town Square, there will be another climate action event. It will be promoted with Twitter and Instagram messages.
Back to League Night – Monday September 23 – Pathways – Check the League website for more information. https://lwv-larimercounty.org/