By Analisa Romano
aromano@greeleytribune.com
aromano@greeleytribune.com
Sunday, April 1, 2012
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| Image: WTFrack.org |
Weld County residents who worry their well water is affected by oil and gas activity may get peace of mind from the county and an instrument designed to test groundwater for oil and gas contamination for free.
The county’s new Federal Mineral Lease Board, comprised of Weld Commissioner David Long and two members in the oil and gas industry, granted the money to commissioners to purchase the gas chromatograph and mass spectrometer instrument for an estimated $145,000.
While the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission does similar testing for well water contamination, Weld County Commissioner Sean Conway said the availability of the instrument gives residents “another layer of security” as the industry continues to expand in Weld.
“This in no way, shape or form should be viewed as commissioners don’t have confidence in the (Oil and Gas Conservation Commission), or that oil and gas companies aren’t doing their utmost to do their process safely and securely,” Conway said.
Rather, the free testing program, which won’t roll out to residents for at least another 60 days, is a response to residents’ concerned calls about the safety of their drinking water, said Trevor Jiricek, Weld’s director of planning.
He said the gas spectrometer will detect compounds normally found in petroleum. After testing to see whether the water shows sign of oil and gas activity, residents must pay for any additional analysis, Jiricek said.
The money used to buy the instrument didn’t come from Weld taxpayers, said Long — it’s federal money granted to the county for oil and gas production on public lands, primarily the Pawnee National Grassland. Weld commissioners just approved the new Federal Mineral Lease Board last fall, which independently decides how to spend the revenue, he said. So this is the first year the board can allocate the money to entities that hope to offset some of the industry’s impacts.
The board’s two big projects this year will be improving county roads, which take a beating from heavy truck haulers associated with the industry, and the gas spectrometer, Long said.
He said the new instrument will also be able to establish a baseline for well water in the area, so that when oil and gas activity does increase, the county will have a better idea of the industry’s impact.
The county’s new Federal Mineral Lease Board, comprised of Weld Commissioner David Long and two members in the oil and gas industry, granted the money to commissioners to purchase the gas chromatograph and mass spectrometer instrument for an estimated $145,000.
While the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission does similar testing for well water contamination, Weld County Commissioner Sean Conway said the availability of the instrument gives residents “another layer of security” as the industry continues to expand in Weld.
“This in no way, shape or form should be viewed as commissioners don’t have confidence in the (Oil and Gas Conservation Commission), or that oil and gas companies aren’t doing their utmost to do their process safely and securely,” Conway said.
Rather, the free testing program, which won’t roll out to residents for at least another 60 days, is a response to residents’ concerned calls about the safety of their drinking water, said Trevor Jiricek, Weld’s director of planning.
He said the gas spectrometer will detect compounds normally found in petroleum. After testing to see whether the water shows sign of oil and gas activity, residents must pay for any additional analysis, Jiricek said.
The money used to buy the instrument didn’t come from Weld taxpayers, said Long — it’s federal money granted to the county for oil and gas production on public lands, primarily the Pawnee National Grassland. Weld commissioners just approved the new Federal Mineral Lease Board last fall, which independently decides how to spend the revenue, he said. So this is the first year the board can allocate the money to entities that hope to offset some of the industry’s impacts.
The board’s two big projects this year will be improving county roads, which take a beating from heavy truck haulers associated with the industry, and the gas spectrometer, Long said.
He said the new instrument will also be able to establish a baseline for well water in the area, so that when oil and gas activity does increase, the county will have a better idea of the industry’s impact.
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There is no peace of mind. What Weld County, Colorado appears to be doing are two things: One; they will control the outcome of the water testing data so Weld County will appear to be 'in good health' with the oil and gas doctor. Two; They will be absolutely shocked to know that Weld County is a sacrifice zone and should immediately be evacuated.
We have one question for you Weld County: Why not buy air monitoring systems with the estimated $50 million you received in 2011 from oil and gas revenues? Don't be a cheap skate Weld County. You know the air quality is toxic. "Every time we visit your county we get nosebleeds and headaches."
It's not like they are using it to feed hungry children either. What pockets are the $50 million lining Weld County?
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