Some Colorado residents wonder whether oil and gas drilling operations around the state affect the quality of the air, and several recent scientific studies speak directly to that question. Many of the questions about air quality in areas where oil and gas drilling take place center on chemicals known as volatile organic compounds, or VOCs,…
“Hydraulic fracturing reduces home values in Colorado.” It’s one of anti-fracking activists’ favorite myths. And while supporters have failed to collect enough signatures to place anti-fracking Measures 75 and 78 on Colorado’s November ballot, this does not mean such misinformation will cease to make the rounds. A study from Colorado State University, however, refutes this…
The energy industry must adhere to a host of regulations administered by both state and federal authorities. At the federal level, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for certifying that projects and operations are safe for humans and the environment. In many cases, the EPA will delegate the enforcement of its rules to state…
The United States has emerged as a global leader in oil and natural gas production while at the same time leading the world in the reduction of carbon and other emissions. As a result of the nation’s recent energy boom, the industry has provided thousands of jobs to local communities and game-changing tax revenue to…
Extracting fossil fuels from shale often has a positive net impact on the finances of counties and municipalities where it occurs, including in Colorado, according to a Duke University study. The study shows how American oil and gas development—which for the past decade has occurred primarily in shale resources—creates new revenue streams for cities and…
