rssPosts 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.
Colorado oil and gas regulators impose new hydraulic fracturing chemical disclosure rule
The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) today unanimously approved a new rule requiring oil and gas companies to fully disclose the chemicals used in the controversial but commonplace drilling process known as hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.
Colorado oil and gas regulators urged to get it right on fracking chemical disclosure
Colorado’s conservation community wants to make sure oil and gas regulators get it right the first time Monday when they decide on a new hydraulic fracturing chemical disclosure rule. Otherwise, they say state officials should keep working on the new rule.
EPA report: Pavillion well water tainted with chemicals consistent with fracking
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released draft findings in its ongoing investigation of contaminated well water near natural gas drilling in Pavillion, Wyo. The draft report “indicates detection of synthetic chemicals … consistent with gas production and hydraulic fracturing fluids.”
Inhofe questions EPA study of contaminated well water near gas drilling in Wyoming
U.S. Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., dubbing himself “the leading advocate for hydraulic fracturing in the United States Senate,” sent a letter this week to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator Lisa Jackson accusing her of “contradictory” statements about the common but controversial oil and gas drilling practice.
Legal fallout from nuclear bomb frack job reaches Colorado Supreme Court
Even as state oil and gas regulators mull over new rules for the disclosure of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing, the Colorado Supreme Court is pondering whether citizen activist groups can intervene on matters like the ultimate frack job in 1969 using a 43-kiloton nuclear bomb.
Colorado Mining Association, Wyoming seek to overturn Clinton Roadless Rule ruling
The Colorado Mining Association and the state of Wyoming on Monday petitioned the full 10th Circuit Court of Appeals to rehear “en banc” an October decision upholding the Clinton administration’s 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule.
State oil and gas regulators put off decision on fracking chemical disclosure rules
Colorado oil and gas regulators Monday defended what critics claim are watered-down hydraulic fracturing chemical disclosure rules, arguing the new regulations can be fine-tuned later to add more public health and environmental protections if necessary.
Colorado officials meet today on hydraulic fracturing chemical disclosure rules
Most of the criticism thus far of Colorado’s proposed changes to rules governing hydraulic fracturing chemical disclosure – and the vast majority of online comments – has centered on the so-called “trade secret” loophole that would allow oil and gas companies to obtain exemptions from disclosing certain chemicals for proprietary reasons.
Commerce City spill cited as reason for caution ahead of Front Range oil boom
Conservationists are pointing to oily muck likely oozing from a Suncor Energy oil refinery in Commerce City toward the South Platte River as an example of what can go very wrong in the looming oil and gas boom along Colorado’s Front Range.
Federal officials caught in ‘snarky’ exchange with public over coal mine expansion
Clearly U.S. Forest Service (USFS) officials and opponents of coal mine expansion in western Colorado won’t be exchanging Christmas cards this holiday season. Instead, shovelfuls of coal and snark to spare will be dumped in their respective stockings.
