Oil and Gas Operations Update – Recognizing municipalities such as the Town of Erie have limited authority when it comes to the oversight of oil and gas operations within its boundaries, at the Board’s direction, Town Staff is continuing to work on local concerns by conducting a Comprehensive Community and Environment Action Plan (see details below). An update was provided to the Board of Trustees during Tuesday night’s meeting and an additional update is currently scheduled for the February 14, 2012 Regular Board of Trustees meeting.
Town of Erie Community and Environment Action Plan:
- Air quality monitoring: Work with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the oil and gas operators working within Erie to develop a Pilot Air Quality Monitoring Program.
- Water quality monitoring: Implement specific equipment upgrades to real-time monitor the Town’s drinking water quality and/or specifically test for some of the chemicals associated with fracing and/or fracing–related activities.
- Erie-Specific Oil & Gas Operations Checklist: Work with the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC), the agency that governs the permitting and regulation of oil and gas wells throughout the state, to consider the creation of a Memorandum of Understanding that would allow for increased oversight of local land-use issues. Use the COGCC Local Government Designee process and the Town’s use by special review process to address Town-specific concerns for permit applications.
- Land-use issues including:
- Setbacks
- Truck access and routes
- Increased notification area requirements
- Noise and light mitigation
- Require closed-loop system for drilling & fracing operations which eliminates the us or open pits
- Require the use of HLP Vapor Recovery Unit at production sites
- Specific site preparation, mobilization and deconstruction standards
- Reclamation and re-vegetation standards
- Steel-rim berm instead of sand/soil around tanks and separators
- Town right-of-first-refusal to sell municipal water to operators as a way of reducing truck traffic
- Special class of water-purchaser/premium rate
Items for Future Investigation/Consideration:
- Investigate the use of CleanStim – or similar safe fracing solution
- Investigate Town’s ability to prohibit deep-water injection well disposal sites
- Investigate solidification as method of disposal in landfill
- Closely monitor and participate in State legislation related to oil & gas operations
BACKGROUND: In response to increased public concern related to oil and gas operations, including those within the Town of Erie, on January 10, 2012, the Town of Erie Board of Trustees convened a presentation on oil & gas operations to gather stakeholder input. The Town of Erie would like to ensure its residents that all voices were heard prior to, during and after the January 10th Oil and Gas Operations presentation. Questions, concerns and recommendations that were shared during the meeting are being used by the Town as a reference guide as more in-depth conversations and agreements move forward. The January 10, 2012 presentation may be viewed in its entirety on the Town’s website by visiting the following link: Video On Demand
Visit the Oil and Gas Operations webpage to select informative links and documents, including the Oil and Gas Operations FAQ sheet from January 10th.
IONEX Expands Manufacturing Operations to New Erie Facility – During a presentation to the Board of Trustees, Doug Porrey, Operations Manager for IONEX, a leading supplier of custom air filtration systems, announced that his company has added additional manufacturing capabilities by expanding to its new location in Erie. Headquartered in Lafayette, CO, the new Erie facility will be home to 10 to 15 employees.
According to IONEX President Doug Porrey, “IONEX’ experience working with the Town of Erie has been successful in every way. Erie personnel have been enthusiastic and extremely helpful in encouraging our company to move certain operations to the town. Erie is also helping with expediting certain Xcel electrical upgrades in order to make our transition as smooth as possible. We have felt warmly welcomed to the Town, and easy access to decision-makers has made us feel that Erie is a pro-business and pro-jobs location.”
Mayor Wilson Presents Young Patriots Award –Mayor Wilson presented the Young Patriots Award to students from Aspen Ridge Preparatory School who led those in attendance in reciting the pledge of allegiance. Students present included: Hayden Goodman, Sawyer Smith, Emma Ulrich, Campbell Smith and Haile Jellis.
Upcoming Board of Trustees Meetings – The next regularly scheduled Board of Trustees meeting will
be on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 6:30 pm. All meetings are held in the Town Hall boardroom located at 645 Holbrook Street in Erie.
More Information – Board of Trustees Action Items are brief summaries of some, but not all, agenda items and do not serve as the official meeting minutes. Select this link to view archived Board of Trustees meeting online via the Town's On Demand Video service. To
request approved meeting minutes of Board of Trustees meetings, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office via email.