The good news is, Aurora and its encompassing counties are finally in control of how the oil industry interacts with the community as it continues to develop in the region.
The bad news is, there’s a lot for both sides to figure out after it became clear all new rules are nearly certain to become law.
The state Legislature on Wednesday passed a monumental change in Colorado oil and gas rules, wisely making public health and safety a priority and allowing for communities to have a serious say in what that looks like.
Gov. Jared Polis has indicated he’ll sign it.
The changes were imminent and long overdue. While this measure was in some ways disappointing to petroleum industry proponents and critics, it concluded with a fair, thoughtful and critical change that allows for oil-and-gas development and requires public safety concerns rightfully be elevated.
But when Senate Bill 181 began, the measure allowed for a cooling off period for new drilling permits, allowing the industry, the state and local communities to analyze the effects of the final bill and determine how best to integrate it.
That language was struck from the final measure and instead, a system allowing for discretion was amended into the bill.
That could prove to be bad for residents of Aurora as well as Adams and Arapahoe counties.
While Adams has already wisely imposed a temporary moratorium on drilling applications, Aurora and Arapahoe County should immediately do the same thing.
While Colorado counties such as Weld boast their appreciation for virtually any oil and gas production, the picture is far more complicated in the Aurora area.
Recent information made public by state Rep. Mike Weissman during SB181 debate at the state Capitol made it clear potential oil development near Buckley Air Force Base and existing or planned communities will be keenly affected by local control. Similar situations exist in both Adams and Arapahoe counties.
Further complicating Aurora’s situation is an ordinance underway that allows for the city and oil companies to sign memoranda of understanding, essentially contracting for some local control in exchange for reduced bureaucracy and expedited regulation.
It would be impractical and potentially economically damaging to put new oil and gas development on hold indefinitely. Aurora, however, especially, needs time to absorb this new complicated legislation and create a transparent and predictable system for regulating petroleum projects in the city.
The city should suspend action on its current ordinance focusing on operational agreements. The city, as well as Arapahoe County — working with the state — should temporarily suspend any new applications for drilling in their jurisdictions.
Moving blindly forward in light of what could be a black-gold rush on the Eastern plains is needlessly reckless.