The agenda for the Nov. 10 commissioner meeting announced a discussion of the extraction business out in the western part of the county. Unfortunately it was cancelled at the last minute, so those of us there, though disappointed, were invited to speak.
I voiced concern about Kinder Morgan’s transparency (without concealment) as to the safety of their operations. As one person put it: Don’t trust the fox to guard the chickens. Therefore, rather than having only Kinder Morgan as our source for facts, the commissioners were requested to seek independent monitoring, at least of air and water, before and after installations. This, especially since extractive industries are exempt from the Clean Air and Water Act! La Plata County, for instance, has much stricter regulations than our county.
Leaving for lunch, a commissioner (who shall remain nameless) approached me with this comment: “I hope you live forever.” Surprised by the apparent sarcasm and bewildering content, I laughingly said “Well, I certainly hope not” and then asked what he meant. From his response that he awakes without headaches, feels great and his robust progency is shipshape, I assume he did not understand that I want an honest discussion of the true cost of drilling, which includes not only the present activities but the potential health risks in the future.
I see it’s essential that those of us willing to dig out the facts can educate and share with others and maintain a voice in this unfolding drama.
Betty Ann Kolner
Dolores