PRESS RELEASE: Get the Frack Out! Erie Oil & Gas Protest: Feb.27, 2021

PRESS RELEASE: Press Releases are provided to Yellow Scene. In an effort to keep our community informed, we are now publishing some press releases in whole.

Dear Board of Trustees,

I am writing to express how important it is that the town of Erie take seriously its obligation to protect residents and mitigate the dangers posed by oil and gas development.

In September we moved to Colliers Hill from out-of-state. It was easy to be attracted to this growing community and the signs effectively blasting “come raise a family here” speak to what we are looking for in a new home. As the walls around the Mae-J pad have gone up this excitement for the future has turned into fear. The law in Colorado now requires 2,000 ft. setbacks because of the danger posed to residents and especially children. And yet here is a massive site developing around 500 ft. from brand new homes. The timeline of permitting and development has no attachment to the ever-growing scientific consensus of the risks. There are now homes within shouting distance of a mega-pad (if only the nuisance concerns were so quaint) and it is not safe.

It is unconscionable that the town has allowed this to happen through the simultaneous approval of heavy oil and gas operations next to rapid exurban residential expansion. It was a choice to permit both. The Anadarko expansion especially was a devil’s bargain that may have brought revenue for growth, but also sold out the health of this community. Nevertheless, here we are, and now it is up to you to mitigate the risks and damage of these previous decisions.

We must have active air-quality monitoring in Erie for the VOCs linked to cancer and disease. We must enact strict protective regulations and reverse setbacks prioritizing health and welfare. We need leaders who will fight for the community at every turn, and prove this is a safe place to raise a family. We proudly join the other residents who have long advocated for just protection and we request your support.

Sincerely,

Eric & Sandra Duggan