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Hickenlooper On The Work Of The Oil & Gas Task Force

Governor John Hickenlooper.
Bente Birkeland
/
RMCR
Governor John Hickenlooper.

Reaction at the state capitol to work of the Oil and Gas Task Force was decidedly mixed. Members of the governor's own party called the effort a failure, one lawmaker even graded it an "F+."

The proposed recommendations are intended to mitigate the impacts of energy development near communities. While the task force wants local governments to be more involved in developing large drill sites, it stopped short of allowing cities and counties to adopt rules stricter than the state standards.

With the final nine recommendations to hit Governor John Hickenlooper's desk Feb. 27, what are his thoughts on the group's work and the backlash?

Bente Birkeland speaks with Gov. John Hickenlooper

Interview Highlights With Governor Hickenlooper

On Backlash Labeling The Task Force's Work A 'Failure'

"That's absurd. You know they had pre-decided what they wanted the outcome to be. We assembled civic leaders, Republicans, Democrats, even numbers of everybody…We tasked them, should local communities have veto control? That's taking someone's property. Somebody paid money for those leases 30 years ago before homes ever got close."

On Future Anti-Fracking Statewide Ballot Initiatives

"I think if something does go to the ballot box it will have a much harder time passing, just because so much of what people cared about is being addressed and will be addressed."

On Whether Local Control Over Drilling Is Still In Limbo

"I think the civic leadership of this state said that's not the right solution. To say they didn't resolve it, is inaccurate. They did resolve it."

Copyright 2015 KUNC

Bente Birkeland
Bente Birkeland has been reporting on state legislative issues for KUNC and Rocky Mountain Community Radio since 2006. Originally, from Minnesota, Bente likes to hike and ski in her spare time. She keeps track of state politics throughout the year but is especially busy during the annual legislative session from January through early May.
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