HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 2/14/2013 (10)City ®$
Fort Collins
MEMORANDUM
DATE: February 7, 2013
TO: Mayor Weitkunat and Councihnembers
FROM: Greg Behm, Energy Board Chairperson
CC: Darin Atteberry, City Manager
RE: Fort Collins Oil and Gas Extraction Regulations
Utilities — Energy Board
700 wood St.
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.6702
970.416.2208 - fax
/cgov.com
At its January and February 2013 meetings, the Fort Collins Energy Board considered the issue
of oil and gas extraction within the Fort Collins City Limits. Although the Board does not have a
position on the specific technology (hydraulic fracturing), we have several concerns and
recommendations we hope the City Council can address as it moves forward with regulations on
these activities:
1. We are concerned about the increase in carbon emissions that may result from increased
fossil fuel extraction and consumption.
2. We are concerned about the impact of fugitive greenhouse gas emissions (particularly
methane). We recommend that they be tracked, minimized, and accounted for in Fort
Collins' greenhouse gas goals. Additionally, we recommend that more effective greenhouse
gas emissions capture be incorporated in the permitting process.
3. We recommend that Fort Collins request mitigation for climate impacts caused by extraction
operations as part of the permitting process.
4. We are concerned that the presence of extraction operations may impact future land use and
therefore impact Fort Collins' energy use and sustainability goals.
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consideration.
C ns
Greg B , Chairperson