CO - Top State Regulator Pushes Against Anti-Fracking Referendum In Closed-Door Meeting

[hatrack]

Colorado’s top regulator of the oil and gas industry lobbied Friday against a proposed Fort Collins ballot question that could ban hydraulic fracturing during a closed-door meeting with the city councilman whose vote could decide the referendum’s fate.

Matt Lepore, director of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, said he orchestrated the meeting at Fort Collins City Hall to present the commission’s perspective to city staff and an undecided member of City Council, which on Feb. 19 will decide whether to place the question on the April 2 municipal ballot.

“We’re certainly going to tell them about our regulatory program and why we think it’s sufficient, and that we believe that hydraulic fracturing can be done safely,” Lepore said on his way into the meeting.

EDIT

Lepore said he invited Horak, Mayor Karen Weitkunat and Councilman Ben Manvel to attend the session, but only heard back from Horak. Manvel is reportedly out of the country. The trio has not committed publicly to voting for or against placing the ban on the ballot. Lepore said he limited invitations by design. He wanted to impart the state’s position to council members who are undecided about whether to place the fracking ban on the ballot, and attendance by two members of the state’s COGCC or three members of council would have triggered Colorado’s open-meetings law, requiring the meeting to be open to the public.

EDIT

Ed. - emphasis added.

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20130201/NEWS/302010041?nclick_check=1

[MotherPetrie]

1. Hmm, wonder if there is a job waiting for him in the private sector

[Nihil]

2. Alternatively, they showed him an advance copy of his obituary.

Don't you just love the way that democracy is being upheld by those companies?