City of Boulder 2H - Extend Moratorium on Oil and Gas Exploration

This ballot measure would extend City Council’s 1-year moratorium on the city accepting and processing any permits that could result in oil and gas exploration. Voters are being asked to extend the moratorium until June of 2018. Ordinance 7907 noted several public health impact studies in process as well as litigation against communities which have banned fracking and asked the city manager to monitor progress of both. This ballot measure does allow that after June of 2016 City Council by a two-thirds majority may conclude that accepting and processing permits earlier than June of 2018 is warranted.

Recommendation: FOR

Since there are no operators with active wells in the city, this ballot measure has only a possible preventative effect. There is no immediate effect except perhaps as a statement of solidarity with other communities.




Website for the For side (Yes on 2H)
http://www.frackfreecolorado.com/boulder.htm

Facebook Page for the Against side (Boulder Citizens for Rational Energy Decisions)
https://www.facebook.com/BoulderCRED


City of Boulder Ballot Question 2H (Approved Language)
Oil and Gas Exploration Moratorium Extension

Shall Ordinance No. 7907 be amended to extend the current moratorium on new oil and gas exploration until June 3, 2018 and to set legal standards and the council voting requirements for lifting the moratorium amended pursuant to Ordinance No. 7915?
- For the measure
- Against the measure


See Ordinance 7915 to refer 2H to the voters.
https://www-static.bouldercolorado.gov/docs/Ordinance_7915_Fracking-1-201308271458.pdf

See Ordinance 7907 detailing the original moratorium on oil and gas exploration.
https://documents.bouldercolorado.gov/weblink8/0/doc/121284/Page1.aspx