The bill requires the Colorado oil and gas conservation
commission (commission), in consultation with local governments, to perform a study that: •
Recognizes best management practices for capturing methane seepage in the Raton basin;
•
Confirms the high quality of water resulting from such methane capture operations; and
•
Confirms the high potential to preserve and make beneficial use of such water.
The commission must complete the study and submit it to
legislative committees of reference by December 1, 2023.
The bill also requires the commission to implement a regulatory
category for methane recovery in the Raton basin, which category includes consideration of enforcement, financial assurance, flow lines, forms, operator guidance, orphan well programs, rules, and policies and allows for beneficial uses deemed prudent by local governments.
