In this Sept. 17, 2013 photo, a crude oil storage tank lies on its side in flood water along the South Platte River, in Weld County, Colo. Hundreds of natural gas and oil wells along with pipelines are shut down by flooding, as state and federal inspectors gauge the damage and look for potential contamination from inundated oil fields. (AP Photo/John Wark)

DENVER | Colorado regulators are modifying some proposals and defending others designed to keep oilfield facilities safer during big floods like the one that hit the Front Range in 2013.

In this Sept. 17, 2013 photo, a crude oil storage tank lies on its side in flood water along the South Platte River, in Weld County, Colo. Hundreds of natural gas and oil wells along with pipelines are shut down by flooding, as state and federal inspectors gauge the damage and look for potential contamination from inundated oil fields. (AP Photo/John Wark)

The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission staff told industry representatives and conservation groups Tuesday they’re changing a proposed requirement for anchoring all production equipment because the language is vague and impractical.

Staff members stood by a proposal requiring companies to register all equipment with the commission, despite an industry request to modify the rule. Commission Deputy Director Dave Kulmann says the agency needs the information on hand before a potential problem occurs.

The commission is scheduled to vote on the proposals on March 2.

The 2013 flood overturned or damaged storage tanks, spilling about 91,000 gallons of oil and polluted water.

One reply on “Colorado oil, gas regulators modify flooding rules”

  1. fracking shouldn’t be allowed in flood plains to begin with. What was the
    Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission thinking when these
    permits were approved? And people wonder why citizens are so
    upset about fracking? Here’s just one example — drilling in flood
    plains.

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