Colorado Increases Fines For Oil, Gas Drilling Violations
DENVER (AP) - Colorado regulators have put in place new rules increasing the fines that oil and gas companies could face for violating state rules.
The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission on Monday raised the maximum fine to $15,000 for each violation, up from $1,000 previously. The commission also eliminated an overall cap of $10,000 in fines for each violation.
The changes comply with a bill passed by the Legislature last year.
Gov. John Hickenlooper had also ordered the commission to review its penalty procedures.
The Colorado Oil and Gas Association, an industry group, has said it supports the higher fines but expressed some concerns about how they would be applied.
The commission held three public meetings and invited public comment before implementing the changes.
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