Colorado approves roughly 5,100 oil, gas permits in 2009
By APTuesday, January 5, 2010
Colo. approves 5,100 oil, gas permits in 2009
DENVER — Colorado approved roughly 5,100 oil and gas drilling permits last year, down from the record 8,027 issued in 2008 before the recession.
The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission received about 540 applications for permits in December. Commission Director Dave Neslin say roughly 640 permits were approved.
Energy companies and industry groups have blamed new oil and gas regulations for longer processing times for permits. They say that has discouraged development.
Regulators insist they’ve made progress, cutting the processing time from more than 80 days to an average of 45 days toward the end of last year.
The backlog grew as companies submitted applications to beat the new rules, which took effect April 1.
On the Net:
Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission:
cogcc.state.co.us/
