Date:
To: Jodee Brekke <Jodee.Brekke@cort.com>
Subject: RE: Emailing: 536433_497576430298431_
Ms. Brekke:
No regulatory regime can prevent every spill; no regulatory agency can be on-site 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to monitor an operator’s every action. It appears Williams reported the impacts to soil and, subsequently, groundwater, to COGCC as soon as they learned of those impacts. The Spill Report attached to your email was submitted to COGCC by Williams as required by our Rules. That is evidence of a regulatory system working. COGCC staff, including our Environmental Manager, our Rifle Office Manager, and several Environmental Protection Specialists, have been on site nearly every working day since the groundwater impacts were reported to us. The companies involved have been taking action to respond to the contamination since it was discovered. We have issued a Cease and Desist Order and Notices of Alleged Violations to the Parties, and are actively monitoring and overseeing the on-going response actions. The responsible party or parties will be obligated to remediate the environmental impacts. Fines and other remedies will be considered by the Commission at the appropriate time, consistent with the Commission’s statutory authority and our Rules.
Sincerely,
Matt
Matthew Lepore
Director
Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission
From: Jodee Brekke [mailto:Jodee.Brekke@cort.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2013 4:39 PM
To: Matt.Lepore@state.co.us
Subject: Emailing: 536433_497576430298431_
Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2013 4:39 PM
To: Matt.Lepore@state.co.us
Subject: Emailing: 536433_497576430298431_
Mr. Lepore,
In regard to the accident in Parachute CO (attached), the COGCC has once again failed to prevent adverse impacts and the industry operator should be held accountable for all reclamation costs, fines and punitive damages.
Jodee Brekke
