EOC 166: Fracked Politics

When it comes to fracking regulations on the ballot, there are likely fewer places more concerned than Weld county, Colorado, where I live. Weld county has a lot invested in the outcome, because nearly 12% of its workers are somehow either directly or indirectly tied to its production. Proposition 112 made it on the ballot because for many the debate over how safe this process actually is and how dangerous the wastewater byproduct can be has not been adequately dealt with. While the fight for Proposition 112 in 2018 ended in defeat for organizers, supporters treat the loss like another major milestone in the path to victory. So what would the legislation actually do? Proposed guidelines set by Proposition 112 would create a "setback" for all new oil and gas development a minimum of 2500 feet away from any "vulnerable" area such as homes, hospitals, schools, and highly trafficked or used areas by people. This would include public open spaces, water sources, or playgrounds. Any other areas deemed vulnerable by state or local governments would be added to the list. It would not affect any new oil and gas projects on federal land, and existing projects would be exempt. However, re-entering old wells would be considered new development and would therefore be subject to the new laws. Current restrictions demand wells be 1,000 feet away from high-occupancy buildings: schools, hospitals, and the like. 500 feet away from occupied buildings like homes, and only 350 feet away from playgrounds. I followed Anne Lee Foster, ballot initiative proponent and CO Rising volunteer, from the "yes" campaign's office to election night to find out what this means for the future of oil and gas in Colorado. Show music by the Humidors. Additional music by Gillicuddy and Scott Holmes via the Free Music Archive through Creative Commons Licensing, and 112 through Fair Use.

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EOC 166: Fracked Politics is an episode from The Eyes on Conservation Podcast by The Wild Lens Collective.

This episode is 57:33 long.

This episode was published on Nov 7, 2018.

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