Rangely Town Council adopts resolution on oil shale development

Resolution of the Town of Rangely supporting the development of this important resource and urges the federal government to move expeditiously to establish the regulations for the management of federally-owned oil shale.
WHEREAS the United States Department of Energy estimates that 800 billion to 1 trillion barrels of recoverable oil may exist within the oil shale deposits of the Green River Formation in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming. The estimated recoverable barrels of oil shale located in the Green River Formation is three times the proven reserves of Saudi Arabia.
WHEREAS the largest share of the oil shale reserves in the Green River Formation lie in Northwest Colorado.
WHEREAS the Town of Rangely recognizes the potential value of this oil shale resource and the potential benefits to the local economy.
WHEREAS the Town of Rangely understands the importance of pursuing unconventional domestic energy resources, in addition to conventional and alternative domestic energy sources, in an economically viable, socially sustainable and environmentally sensitive manner.
WHEREAS the Energy Policy Act declares that unconventional resources should be developed to reduce the nation’s growing dependence on oil from politically and economically unstable foreign countries.
WHEREAS the Town of Rangely understands the importance of establishing regulations to set out the policies and procedures for the implementation of a commercial leasing program for the management of federally-owned oil shale and any associated minerals located on Federal lands.
WHEREAS operators interested in oil shale development need set regulations to formulate their investment strategies.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Rangely supports the development of this important resource and urges the federal government to move expeditiously to establish the regulations for the management of federally-owned oil shale.
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town of Rangely asks the Bureau of Land Management to encourage up-front community investments by companies investing in oil shale development to support and protect community infrastructure.
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town of Rangely encourages the Colorado Congressional Delegation to support the implementation of oil shale regulations to encourage business investments in Colorado oil shale, increase our domestic energy security and support our local economy.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 9th DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2009.
ATTEST: RANGELY
TOWN COUNCIL:
Christine Brasfield,
Town Clerk
Ann Brady,
Mayor