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Dan Pilcher CACI Chief Operating Officer
E-Mail: dpilcher@COchamber.com
Friday, December 2, 2011
Colorado Holds Marathon Hearing on Disclosure of Fracking Fluids
On Monday, the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission held an 11-hour hearing on a proposed regulation that would require the energy industry to disclose chemicals used in the process known has hydraulic fracturing. The Commission is scheduled to vote on the proposal Monday.
Carly Dollar, CACI’s Governmental Affairs Representative, who staffs the CACI Environment and Energy Committee, testified before the Commission. Here’s an edited version of her prepared testimony:
CACI supports the adoption of clear, consistent rules that encourage economic development in the oil and gas industries. The oil and gas industry in Colorado directly employs more than 40,000 workers and supports more than 107,000 jobs. The industry provides $6.5 billion in income for the industry’s workers and contributes $31 billion in annual economic output. The industry is primed to be a key job creator in Colorado as the state emerges from the economic recession. In order for jobs to grow in this sector, CACI believes that it is essential that Colorado’s regulatory environment encourage investment. This requires adopting balanced rules that provide companies with clarity and consistency and do not impose unnecessarily burdensome regulation that discourages investment. CACI’s partners in the oil and gas industry believe that the proposed rules meet these criteria, which will allow for continued economic development in Colorado. CACI supports their adoption.
For more on this issue, read the following recent articles:
“Hydraulic fracking linked for first time to groundwater pollution,” by Mark Jaffe, The Denver Post, December 9th
“Both sides find fault in Colorado fracking rule,” by Mark Jaffe, The Denver Post, December 6th
“Colorado delays fracking disclosure decision,” by Catherine Tsai, Associated Press, The Denver Post, December 5th
“Oil industry and environmentalists spar over fracking fluid disclosure rules,” Mark Jaffe, The Denver Post, December 5th
“Drillers claim ‘trade secrets’ when they don’t reveal chemicals in fracking fluids,” by Mark Jaffe, The Denver Post, December 4th
“Colo. panel under pressure to strengthen fracking rules,” Sean Sullivan, SNL Financial, December 5th
CACI Makes Presentation to Broomfield Chamber of Commerce
On Wednesday, Loren Furman, CACI Vice President of Governmental Relations, and Bonnie Finley, CACI Manager of Member Development, made a presentation to the Broomfield Chamber of Commerce during the Chamber’s Eggs & Issues Legislative Breakfast. Loren and Bonnie discussed CACI’s decades-long role as the state chamber of commerce at the Colorado State Capitol as well as legislation anticipated to be introduced during the 2012 legislative session. Several local officials attended the presentation, including:
This presentation was one of a series of presentations that Loren Furman and Bonnie Finley have conducted with local chambers throughout the state this past summer and autumn. About 40 local chambers of commerce are dues-paying members of CACI.
Fontneau to Address CACI HealthCare Council January 26th
Patty Fontneau, who cleared the first hurdle Wednesday on her way to an expected confirmation Monday as the first Executive Director of Colorado Health Benefit Exchange, is slated to address the CACI HealthCare Council on Thursday, January 26th.
On Wednesday, the Legislative Health Benefit Exchange Implementation Review Committee unanimously confirmed Fontneau on a seven-to-zero vote. The Exchange Board is slated to vote on her confirmation Monday. Fontneau's confirmation was supported by CACI and other business organizations.
Fontneau served as the chief operating officer for Holme Roberts & Owens LLP. Before joining HRO, she worked as the chief administrative officer for The IMA Financial Group. In 2004, she became of vice president and general manager of the Western Service Center of TIAA-CREF. Fontneau has served on the boards of College Invest, the Downtown Denver Partnership, the Auraria Foundation, the Metro Denver Chamber Foundation, Qualistar Early Learning and SafeHouse Denver. She participated on then Governor-Elect Bill Ritter's transition team for higher education.
Legislative Committee Considers Federal Grant Application to Fund Health Exchange
The Legislative Health Benefit Exchange Implementation Review Committee on Wednesday received the Colorado Health Benefit Exchange Level One Grant Application. The Committee discussed the proposed Level One Grant for the Health Benefit Exchange, along with the proposed budget and grant abstract. The intent of the grant is to provide resources for the planning of the Exchange and to begin to "acquire key systems needed to operate a successful Health Benefit Exchange." The Committee will review the grant, application and take action on it when it meets at 9 a.m., Thursday, December 15th, in House Committee Room 112 at the State Capitol.
For information on the Exchange or other health-policy issues, please contact CACI Governmental Affairs contract lobbyist Larry Hudson at 303.249.4234.
Key Officials to Address CACI Councils in January
Important guest speakers have been scheduled for CACI’s policy-council meetings in January to discuss important state and federal policy issues. CACI encourages the attendance and participation of its members at these exclusive meetings:
January 13, Tax Council
January 17, Energy & Environment Council
January 26, HealthCare Council
Visit the CACI Calendar for the full schedule of CACI council meetings during the 2012 legislative session. |
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