The Colorado Independent

Thursday, February 9th, 2012

Posts by David O. Williams

David O. Williams is an award-winning reporter who has covered energy, environmental and political issues for the Colorado Independent since 2008, delivering impact journalism on a wide range of topics. A former editor for the Vail Daily and Vail Trail, Williams’ work also has appeared in numerous publications since 1988, including the New York Times, Chicago Tribune and Denver Post. He appears periodically as a guest on Rocky Mountain PBS and David Sirota’s show on 760 AM in Denver. Williams is the founder, part owner and editor of Real Vail and Real Aspen.

In Colorado classrooms, climate change skepticism rising like ocean levels

By | 01.31.12 | 10:23 am

Climate change skepticism is creeping into classrooms even as advocacy groups try to broaden their reach using new-school X Games athletes to spread the message to high schools students.

How close is too close? Proposed law would increase oil and gas setbacks to 1,000 feet

By | 01.30.12 | 4:01 pm

Colorado Democrats have introduced a bill in the State Legislature that would require hydraulically fractured oil and gas wells to be set back at least 1,000 feet from any school or residence.

State rep on school setbacks: ‘Good enough for pot shops, good enough for fracking’

By | 01.20.12 | 9:16 am

State Representative Matt Jones on Thursday linked the highly controversial oil and gas drilling process of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, to the recent federal government crackdown on medical marijuana dispensaries within 1,000 feet of schools in Colorado.

Obama touts record U.S. oil and gas production in wake of pipeline rejection

By | 01.19.12 | 7:06 am

Rejecting both the Republican push for an accelerated Keystone XL oil pipeline and the GOP argument that he doesn’t care about jobs, President Barack Obama Wednesday touted his record of increased domestic oil and gas production.

Colorado lawmakers react to Obama rejection of fast-tracked Keystone XL

By | 01.18.12 | 4:05 pm

President Barack Obama today agreed with a U.S. State Department recommendation not to fast track the controversial Keystone XL pipeline that would move tar sands oil from Alberta, Canada to the Gulf Coast of Texas. That decision predictably drew mixed reviews from Colorado’s congressional delegation and praise from the state’s conservation community.

Oil and gas activist groups buoyed by Gunnison County District Court ruling

By | 01.18.12 | 1:48 pm

Grassroots citizen-activist groups seeking more local control of oil and gas drilling are touting a Gunnison County District Court decision earlier this month finding “there is no express or implied preemption” of local regulations by the state of Colorado.

Hickenlooper cautions against more local control over oil and gas drilling

By | 01.13.12 | 7:00 am

Governor John Hickenlooper Thursday praised state oil and gas regulators for passing the toughest hydraulic fracturing chemical disclosure rule in the country and warned against proposed legislation that would give local governments more authority over drilling.

Snow drought forces Colorado to face frightening new climate-change reality

By | 01.09.12 | 9:10 am

Just a year after record snowfall throughout much of the Rocky Mountain West, the region is locked in a snow drought not seen since Jimmy Carter surrendered the White House to Ronald Reagan in the early 1980s. The record dry conditions have lawmakers and industry observers extremely concerned about looming water shortages and wildfire danger.

Anti-environmental group vows to fight for ‘God-given rights’ in wake of Montana ruling

By | 01.06.12 | 2:15 am

The combative head of an anti-environmentalist Washington, D.C. nonprofit with Colorado roots vowed on Thursday to appeal last week’s Montana Supreme Court ruling upholding the state’s nearly 100-year-old ban on corporate campaign spending.

Green groups question lack of representation on Denver Olympic exploratory committee

By | 01.03.12 | 6:57 am

Colorado conservation groups are questioning the makeup of a special state committee set up by Gov. John Hickenlooper to explore hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics – an ominous sign in light of environmental concerns that in part led to Colorado voter rejection of the 1976 Olympics.

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