A victory for the Aurora neighborhood, but the battle is far from over! The community has successfully halted the development of 32 oil and gas wells near their primary drinking water source, the Aurora Reservoir. This is a significant win, but it's just the beginning of a complex and controversial story.
Civitas Resources, a $2.3 billion company, had been on a roll, with state and county officials approving their well pad proposals. However, on December 10th, their plans hit a major roadblock. The Energy and Carbon Management Commission, the state's oil and gas regulator, voted to put a stay on the State Sunlight/Long well pad, a 32-well project located dangerously close to residential areas and the reservoir.
Commissioner Brett Ackerman highlighted the need for Civitas' subsidiary, Crestone Peak Resources, to consider alternative locations that would minimize the impact on neighbors. He suggested exploring sites farther away from the dense residential development bordering the property.
Randy Willard, an 11-year resident of Aurora's Tollgate Crossing neighborhood, sees this decision as a temporary victory. He has been leading the charge against Civitas' drilling plans as the president of Save the Aurora Reservoir, a citizen advocacy group with over 2,500 members. Willard emphasizes that the fight is not over, as Civitas still has approval for other well pads on the 26,500-acre Lowry Ranch, with a total of 112 wells planned.
Neighbors are concerned about the potential health risks, especially for children, and the threat of contaminating the reservoir, which provides drinking water to over 400,000 people. A study released by the Colorado School of Public Health in March added fuel to their concerns, drawing links between childhood leukemia and proximity to oil and gas wells.
Four schools stand within a mile of the proposed State Sunlight/Long well pad, highlighting the need for stricter regulations and a more cautious approach.
Civitas is determined to move forward and has expressed confidence in gaining the commission's approval. Company spokesman Rich Coolidge stated that they have received guidance on resubmitting clarifying information to garner support from the majority of commissioners.
However, Commissioner Michael Cross, who voted against the stay, mentioned that Civitas had agreed to implement measures to minimize impact, such as relocating access roads and electrifying drilling rigs. Despite these measures, the controversy surrounding the pad persists.
Sakhawat Hussain, a retired gastroenterologist living in Southshore, is not surprised by the controversy. His backyard is just a half-mile away from where the State Sunlight/Long well pad could be located. He and his wife, Ann, point to the Chevron oil and gas well blowout in Weld County as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the potential catastrophic consequences if a similar incident were to occur at the Aurora site.
Ann Hussain sees the fight over State Sunlight/Long as a test of Colorado's landmark oil and gas law, Senate Bill 19-181. She believes that a site so close to homes and schools should be treated differently from remote well pads, and the regulations should not be one-size-fits-all.
Michael Foote, STAR's attorney and a former state legislator, believes that public participation has played a crucial role in this dispute. He hopes that the commission's decision to take public opinion seriously will continue into the next stage of the hearing.
Willard and his group, STAR, raised $15,000 over the summer to fund their efforts against Civitas' drilling plans. He hopes that their strategies and resolve can inspire and support other communities facing similar fracking battles across the state.
This story is a reminder of the ongoing tension between energy development and public health and safety. It raises important questions: How can we balance the needs of the energy industry with the protection of our communities and natural resources? And what role does public participation play in shaping these critical decisions? Join the conversation and share your thoughts in the comments!
