Denver City Council approves controversial proclamation on oil-shale

Font ResizeLocal NewsBy Jeremy P. Meyer
The Denver Postdenverpost.comPosted: 12/17/2012 07:30:39 PM MSTDecember 18, 2012 2:31 AM GMTUpdated: 12/17/2012 07:30:40 PM MST

Typically, Denver City Council proclamations are void of controversy, reserved to commending people for service or feel-good statements by the city's lawmakers.

But on Monday, the council was divided over a proclamation that supports the "research-first" approach to oil-shale development proposed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management that some in the industry vehemently oppose.

The council spent nearly an hour debating the proclamation, which is not a law and merely an official statement.

At the end, eight members voted in support, two against and two abstained — a rare division for a proclamation that normally gets unanimous approval.

"Occasionally it is important for the council to stand up and be counted on a controversial issue ..., to plant a flag," said councilman Chris Nevitt, who voted for the measure."This is one of those times."

The proclamation was focused on the possibility that future oil-shale development could use up Denver's water supply.

"I think it's important to state that it is part of our responsibility as elected officials to be looking out for the interests of the citizens of City and County of Denver," said councilwoman Debbie Ortega.

But councilman Charlie Brown said the council's proclamation could be seen as meddling in the affairs of the Western Slope. Brown voted against the proclamation.

"My concern is this policy and document will increase the rift between the Western Slope and Denver," Brown said. "I really believe that this proclamation is unwarranted, unnecessary and unjustified."

The proclamation supports a U.S. Bureau of Land Management position that companies seeking to lease land for oil-shale development should first "prove the technological, economic and ecological viability of oil-shale development, and the impact that mining and processing of oil-shale will have on statewide water demand and water quality."

Oil-shale mining and processing on a commercial scale is not occurring in Colorado and is not to be confused with "shale oil" development that extracts oil from shale formations. Oil shale is a sedimentary rock rich in kerogen that through an expensive process can be heated to extract a crude-oil-like substance.

Councilman Chris Herndon said he, too, was distressed about the council making a statement that neither Denver Water nor Denver Mayor Michael Hancock have chosen to make. Herndon abstained.

"We are responsible for a lot of things on the council. Water is not one of them," Herndon said. "I have full faith in Denver Water. We shouldn't weigh in unless we don't think they ware doing their job."

Councilman Paul Lopez, who voted for the proclamation, said he doesn't think Denver Water is doing an adequate job and it is the City Council's responsibility to pay attention to how the city's water is being used.

"I don't really trust Denver Water with our water," he said. "I don't think it is a board with much oversight. ... We have a say and it matters. When it comes to water, absolutely."

Jeremy P. Meyer: 303-954-1367, jpmeyer

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