Gunnison County, State Talk On Oil, Gas Regulation

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) - Colorado oil and natural gas regulators have signed off on an agreement with Gunnison County on their intent to delegate some monitoring and inspection of the industry to the county.

The Daily Sentinel reports county officials and the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission hope a final agreement, if reached, can prevent further lawsuits over who has jurisdiction over certain drilling activities.

Commission Director David Neslin says there have been concerns in remote Gunnison about the level of inspections that would occur if the county didn't handle monitoring duties.

Enforcement authority would continue to fall to the state, and the commission would approve and train inspectors. The county wouldn't be able to impose new taxes or fees for its work.

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