Pipeline permitting code changes finalized
Published on February 07, 2022
Code changes to Weld County’s Location Assessment for Pipelines (LAP) permitting process were approved last week by the Weld County Board of Commissioners following the third and final reading. The approval concludes more than a year of collaborative work between oil and gas representatives and the Weld County Oil and Gas Energy Department (OGED) to provide better clarity and consistency for those seeking pipeline permits from Weld County.
“It’s imperative that our pipeline permitting process continues to function in a way that protects landowner rights as well as our citizens and the environment,” Weld County Commissioner Chair Scott James said. “At the same time, it’s important that our permitting process doesn’t create an unnecessary burden on those seeking permits. I believe, through the discussions between the oil and gas industry and our Oil Gas Energy Department, these changes accomplish both of those goals.”
The LAP code will be removed from Chapter 23 and placed under Chapter 21, effectively shifting the authority to approve a LAP permit from the Department of Planning Services director to the OGED director. The move builds on the role the OGED has had since 2019 in ensuring pipelines meet both safety and environmentally friendly standards.
“The change in authority only makes sense and provides the most consistency in our process as we’ve been working with LAP permits since the Oil and Gas Energy Department debuted more than two years ago,” Weld County OGED Director Jason Maxey said. “This change, along with the others approved, enhances our permitting process and are the result of continually listening to energy industry representatives, even as recently as our last working group meeting on January 20th. This has been a completely collaborative effort, and I’m pleased with how far we’ve come.”
While approved changes don’t impact pipeline width or mapping requirements, they do require those seeking a LAP permit to:
- Submit copies of pre-commissioning tests to the OGED. For pipelines not regulated federally or by the state, applicants must submit annual patrol reports.
- Show a greater emphasis on best management practices by providing assurance that during pipeline installation plans will be implemented to minimize adverse impacts to the environment.
Learn more about the approved LAP code changes.(PDF, 1MB) For more information about oil and gas activity in Weld County, visit the Oil and Gas Energy Department webpage.