API files suit against City of Thornton, challenging new oil and gas regulations

DENVER, October 10, 2017 – The Colorado Petroleum Council today released the following statement as it joined the Colorado Oil and Gas Association in filing a lawsuit against new regulations adopted by the City of Thornton that could hurt jobs, raise energy costs to Colorado consumers, and hurt the state’s economy.

“Strong environmental stewardship has produced comprehensive and effective natural gas and oil regulations here in Colorado,” said Colorado Petroleum Council Executive Director Tracee Bentley. “One of the major concerns we have with the city’s new regulations is that they overlook the latest scientific data and the current statewide oversight of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. A patchwork of conflicting city regulations is the wrong path for consumers and disregards the stakeholder process that Colorado is known for. Our industry remains committed to working with state and local officials to ensure that we address issues of concern while continuing to deliver the energy that runs our state and our country with the highest possible safety standards and best practices.”

The Colorado Petroleum Council is a division of API, which represents all segments of America’s oil and natural gas industry. Its more than 625 members include large integrated companies, as well as exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, and marine businesses, and service and supply firms. They provide most of the nation’s energy and are backed by a growing grassroots movement of more than 40 million Americans.

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