BRIGHTON, Colo. -- Tuesday, Coloradans are hoping for answers to many of the questions the fatal house explosion in Firestone raised about oil and gas operations in the state. Governor John Hickenlooper will explain the next steps in response to a review he ordered in the days that followed the April explosion that killed two men.
Regardless of the findings, local communities are already addressing the issue. Just how close is too close when building new homes? We know the state handles approving any new gas or oil developments, but above ground is up to local communities.
The review revealed there are nearly 120,000 pipelines within 1,000 feet of buildings we're in every day. It's the first time we've had a number since Colorado does not require mapping. It’s been a huge concern for anyone living near wells and pipelines, since that deadly explosion.
Monday night, Adams County leaders talked about the distance when building new homes, specifically the distance to existing oil and gas pipelines and to capped and abandoned oil and gas wells.
It was only a discussion tonight, but also on the table: the county finished up a study on implementing traffic impact fees. The idea is having the oil and gas companies pay up for the wear and tear they cause to the roads during new developments, instead of relying on the taxpayers.
