Higher Drilling Fines Approved By Colorado House

DENVER (AP) - A bill to increase fines on the oil and gas industry is on its way to the Colorado Senate after the state House gave it final approval Monday.

The bill hikes maximum fines from $1,000 a day to $15,000 a day for companies that violate Colorado regulations. The House approved the measure 40-22.

A similar fines bill failed last year. But this year's bill has the support of Colorado energy industry because it no longer included minimum daily fines.

Colorado's maximum daily drilling fines haven't been hiked since 1955.

LINK: House Bill 1356

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