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Lawmakers Want Gas Well Map After Fatal Home Blast

DENVER (AP) — Colorado lawmakers are taking up a last-minute proposal in response to a deadly home explosion traced to an inactive gas well line.

Two House Democrats have proposed a bill to force energy drillers to provide state regulators the locations of all their gas lines. The measure is inspired by a home explosion that killed two people last month in the community of Firestone.

FIRESTONE EXPLOSION well near home
(credit: CBS)

The proposal faces long odds. Even its sponsors aren't sure whether the requirement would avert future accidents or help locate old lines whose owners are out of business.

Republicans control the state Senate and call the bill a knee-jerk reaction that won't improve safety. Lawmakers must finish work for the year next week.

firestone-home-explosion
Mark Martinez and Joey Irwin were killed in a home explosion in Firestone in 2017. (credit: CBS)

Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper has questioned the need for the state to create a map.

By KRISTEN WYATT, Associated Press

(© Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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