Lafayette officials discuss expanded oversight of oil-and-gas wells
Operators of covered low-producing and inactive wells submit monthly reports; officials discussed expert review and monitoring but made no policy change.
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Lafayette officials discussed adding expert review and monitoring to the city’s oil-and-gas well oversight at an Oct. 27 workshop, but made no policy decision.
The city receives monthly inspection reports from operators of covered low-producing and inactive wells, but it has no routine inspection program or qualified staff and specialized equipment to inspect wells, the city attorney said. The attorney said the Planning Department receives the reports and she was checking whether staff review them beyond confirming receipt. The city was not actively publishing the reports.
At the workshop, special counsel Elizabeth Peronios described the operators’ requirements: monthly instrument-based emissions inspections and checks for liquid leaks, followed by reports on findings and any repairs. Operators also must conduct and report annual soil testing. Peronios described the process as “find and fix,” rather than measuring emissions against a numerical or health-based standard.
Officials discussed contracting with an expert to review reports and check whether reported repairs were made, as well as third-party inspections and continuous emissions monitors. Peronios said the city could impose fees to cover permitting, monitoring, inspection and enforcement costs. None of the options was approved at the workshop. The city can also respond to a particular concern by hiring a consultant or coordinating with Boulder County, the city attorney said.
Council members raised concerns about wells near Peak-to-Peak Charter School. Peronios clarified that the wells discussed are in unincorporated Boulder County, while the school is in Lafayette, and that the county has jurisdiction over those wells. The city attorney said city and county staff coordinate, though she was not aware of a formal agreement between them.
Peronios also discussed contacting Colorado’s Energy and Carbon Management Commission, the state oil-and-gas regulator, about well status and possible state action. She cautioned that requiring wells to close could conflict with state authority and described a petition to the commission as an option in some circumstances.