LETTERS: Backroom deals; Oil and gas regs; and more

Result of backroom deals

Makes you wonder.

The Banning Lewis Ranch has a long history of failure. The good idea train hits the track and then gets derailed somewhere along the way. Politicians have a long history of pseudo success that is tainted by corruption and back door dealings. “Why is there $60,000 in my freezer?” “I depends on what your definition of is....is.”

It sounds conspiratorial, but extremely convenient with the connection between politicians, the Banning Lewis Ranch, the Southern Delivery System, and big oil. I don’t think it was ever intended to build beautiful neighborhoods all over the BLR. I think what we are seeing is the result of some more backroom deals that were disguised as enhancing our quality of life.

Did the oil companies just decide out of the blue to start fracking in the BLR? I know that their research and development teams spend years looking for the right place to explore. Doesn’t it seem pretty quick from bankruptcy to drilling? We all know that fracking takes a lot of water. Doesn’t it seem convenient that the water is on the way?

Now don’t misconstrue my meaning, we need jobs in the area and I am in favor of the economic boost that we would feel. It would be great to have some lakes for recreation. What I yearn for is a transparent political process that tells the truth in the first place. “Follow the money.”

Steve Stewart

Fountain

Let commissioners know

On Tuesday, Jan. 31, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is scheduled to vote on draft El Paso County Oil and Gas regulations. As many people know from The Gazette article “Attorney General warns El Paso County on proposed oil and gas regs”, Jan. 17, the state would like nothing better than for El Paso County to eliminate or weaken significant sections of the local regulations or better yet, defer entirely to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) regulations. One recent change made to the draft El Paso County regulations encourages, rather than requires, drilling companies to use environmentally protective alternatives to open storage pits, such as closed loop systems.

Now is the time to call, write or email your county commissioner before Tuesday if you want her or him to adopt strong local rules that protect our water, air and soil and still enable oil and gas drilling.

Our county is not alone in wanting to protect itself. On Jan. 3, Gunnison County won a suit brought by SG Interests I, LTD (Case Number 11CV127). The case affirmed the rights of local governments to assert their responsibilities and rights to mitigate harm from oil and gas exploration and production. If you have read the 12 chapters of COGCC regulations, you can see why county officials and citizens across the state are concerned about the public’s health and environmental safety.

Mary J. Talbott

Colorado Springs

Utilities’ constant increases

I watch my Colorado Springs utility bills closely. In Q4 of 2011 I reduced consumption of household electric by 23.5 percent; gas 12.5 percent; water and wastewater 2.1 percent, each over 2010. My billings declined only 2.8 percent. Rates rise again in Q1, 2012 thanks to our “can’t say no” to City Council, out of touch with their constituents. And, why would a utility CEO paid $400K-plus/year be any more in touch with those of us on reduced/fixed incomes in these economic times?

As stakeholders, we “citizen owners” deserve more of the Utilities pie, just as Utilities employees get above average compensations. Does it seem fair that reducing 3 usages an average of 13.4 percent/month saves only 2.8 percent costs?  Also, SDS will now provide for oil operations in the county more than for new habitats, so ‘drillers’ should pay a larger share of pending SDS costs.

I’d like to see Mayor Bach having veto power over Utilities’ constant increases. After all, we gave power to him. The aforementioned folks seem somewhat ‘elitist’ in their attitudes of deference to ever rising rates.

Rich Bouhl

Colorado Springs

It’s just that easy!

Citizens of the Pikes Peak region, please understand that you can view Jeopardy! at 6:30 p.m. over the air waves. The lack of cable access to channel 41 does not mean you have to miss Alex Trebek during the dinner hour. Since everyone must now have a digital converter box or tuner for your TV to receive all over-the-air broadcasts, Jeopardy! fans need only run a channel scan on their converter box to program in and receive KKTV’s channel 11.2. It’s just that easy!

J. W. Richards

Colorado Springs