Full Title: Toxic Release: Colorado Oil & Gas Spills 2012
Author(s): Center for Western Priorities
Publisher(s): Center for Western Priorities
Publication Date: April 1, 2013
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):
Every year the oil and gas industry is responsible for thousands of spills across the Western United States. In Colorado alone, hundreds of spills during 2012 contaminated surface waters, groundwater and agricultural land.
Impacted communities struggle with a lack of prompt notification after spills and without legal authority to control drilling within their community.
This analysis sheds new light on the frequency and severity of spills and releases that result from drilling, fracking, and other activities associated with oil and gas development. The analysis reviews oil and gas spills disclosed to Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission that occurred in the State of Colorado between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012.
During the time period under review, oil and gas companies reported 402 spills. A spill is defined by state law as a discharge of more than 5 barrels (210 gallons) of product. There were undoubtedly many more oil or chemical spills that did not meet the reporting threshold.
The data compiled in this report reveals a startling portrayal not only of the frequency of spills, but also the proximity to communities, neighborhoods, and resources.