By Megan Castle
The Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) announced on January 17, that the Cumulative Impacts Initial Strawdawg Rules were released, and gave an overview of next steps in this upcoming rulemaking.
ECMC Deputy Director Mimi Larsen spoke about the past year’s activities of stakeholder engagement, incorporating the Environmental Justice Action Task Force recommendations, as well as next steps. The Commission is mandated by HB 23-1249 to conduct a rulemaking on Cumulative Impacts by April 28, 2024.
“We thank all of the stakeholders for participating and providing feedback over the past year, to help inform these initial cumulative impact rules,” said Larsen. “Staff incorporated feedback received from all stakeholders and we are eager to receive feedback on this draft in order to develop the best draft rules that allow the ECMC to further its mission of protecting public health, safety, welfare, wildlife and the environment.”
Cumulative Impacts Timeline:
- Jan. 17: Strawdawg Rules released; A Google Form for capturing public comments and all stakeholder feedback is open on the ECMC website, ecmc.state.co.us. Information posted on the “News & Notices” Section has a link to CI Initial Draft Rules.
- Jan. 29: Google form for public comments and stakeholder feedback will close.
- Jan. 31: Commission feedback to Staff on the Initial Rules and Staff will report back on the feedback it has received from the public.
- February 2024: Formal Notice of Rulemaking submitted to the Secretary of State with revised draft rules.
- Mid-April: An evening and a daytime public comment session will be held by the Commission on Cumulative Impacts
- April 22-26: Rulemaking Hearing.
Cumulative Impacts Strawdawg Rules and Public Comment Form:
- Find the Strawdawg Rules and a link to provide public comments by reviewing the “News & Notices” section of the homepage on ECMC’s website: https://ecmc.state.co.us/#/home
You can find additional Rulemaking information under “Hearings/ Rulemaking” tabs. This will be updated periodically as new information becomes available.
Can’t attend the meeting but want to be involved? Learn how to provide comments or receive notifications about rulemakings and hearings:
- Email: dnr_ecmc@state.co.us. Be sure to include “Cumulative Impacts” in the email subject.
- Sign up to receive emails on Rulemakings and Hearings:
- https://ecmc.state.co.us/about2.html#/email_signup
About the ECMC
The mission of the Colorado Energy & Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) is to regulate the development and production of the natural resources of oil and gas, deep geothermal resources, the capture and sequestration of carbon, and the underground storage of natural gas in a manner that protects public health, safety, welfare, the environment and wildlife resources. Visit ecmc.state.co.us for more information.
Megan Castle is ECMC Community Relations Supervisor.