Colorado Supreme Court sides with oil and gas in major ruling on environmental regulations

In a big — but, perhaps, temporary — victory for the oil and gas industry in Colorado, the state Supreme Court ruled Monday that regulators don’t have to prove a new well wouldn’t hurt the environment before issuing a permit.

The landmark decision in the closely watched case, known as the Martinez case, preserves the status quo for oil and gas development in the state. But, with Democratic lawmakers in control at the state Capitol, further efforts this year to place environmental restrictions on oil and gas activity are almost guaranteed.

The case’s name comes from its lead plaintiff, Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, a now 18-year-old Boulder student and activist who, in 2013, joined together with six other young environmental activists to file a petition with state regulators at the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, which approves all new drilling activity in the state.

The petition asked for a rule requiring regulators not to issue a new oil and gas permit unless, “the best available science demonstrates, and an independent, third-party organization confirms,” the activity wouldn’t hurt the environment. The commission denied the petition, saying its job is to balance industry and environmental concerns and not place one before the other.

Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2019/01/14/martinez-supreme-court-decision/