Oil and Gas Department to assist Evans with 1041 process
Published on May 02, 2022
In a move to better streamline the permitting process for energy development between oil and gas operators, the City of Evans and the state, the Weld County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the city. The agreement allows the Weld County Oil and Gas Energy Department (OGED) to assist Evans in implementing its own 1041 regulations pertaining to oil and gas development within its municipal boundary.
“This partnership allows us to provide our expertise on oil and gas permitting to the City of Evans,” explained Jason Maxey, Weld County OGED Director. “The IGA strengthens the overall process for oil and gas permitting in our county because we will work closely with Evans to provide them with a similar permitting process to ours. This uniformity will hopefully provide a more consistent process for oil and gas operators seeking permits within Evans while better streamlining the process at the state level as well.”
Under the IGA, OGED staff will help facilitate Evans’ 1041 permitting process by processing oil and gas drilling applications and conducting 1041 hearings on the city’s behalf. The city can also request the county’s OGED Hearing Officer to rehear an application, conduct a suspension or revocation hearing or have OGED staff assist with inspections. Even with the county’s assistance, Evans still maintains the responsibility to ensure its regulations, codes and ordinances are followed as well as the final determination regarding a permit’s approval or denial.
When Weld County chose to create the OGED in 2019 after accepting 1041 authority over mineral resources in unincorporated Weld County, there was a belief that the department could serve as a resource to assist municipalities with permitting. Although Evans is the first municipality to do so, the board is hopeful that many more municipalities will follow in utilizing the county’s expertise in oil and gas permitting.
“When the Oil and Gas Energy Department was established, we envisioned this kind of partnership. Creating similar standards for permitting can only hasten the overall process, take some of the burden off municipalities and help eliminate the need for oil and gas operators to meet different standards,” said Weld County Commissioner Lori Saine. “This IGA speaks to our expertise in permitting along with our ability to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public and the environment. We’re excited to partner with Evans, and we hope that we can be a resource to other municipalities in the future.”
There is no cost to the county for this agreement. The IGA(PDF, 451KB) will last until August 30, 2023, then renew on a yearly basis unless terminated by Evans or the county. To learn more about the Oil and Gas Energy Department, visit https://www.weldgov.com/Government/Departments/Oil-and-Gas-Energy.