Neighborhoods Worry About Living Amid Oil And Gas Development
In Northern Colorado, there are growing concerns in neighborhoods and communities about oil and gas wells sitting too close to their homes and schools. Last Spring, the danger became clearer when a home exploded in Firestone, Colo., killing two people, after a small pipeline connected to a well began leaking odorless gas into the basement.
"We used to be worried about asthma and cancers and ruining our water. Now we're also worried about our houses blowing up," said Barbara Mills-Bria, of Lakewood, Colo., during a recent public meeting with oil and gas regulators in Denver.
Some community members support oil and gas development, others want drilling banned entirely. Many just want it kept away, at a safe distance.
Currently, minimum allowed distances – called setback – aren't entirely based on math and science. They are usually a compromise between competing interests.
The stated intent of is to "protect.
