Right before the end of the Obama administration, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) rushed through an unnecessary and duplicative methane emission rule that creates a costly barrier to energy development on public lands.

Recently, the House approved measures to roll back this hasty, eleventh-hour overreach. Colorado Sens. Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner should support a proposed resolution to reverse the BLM rule.

Methane emissions are already regulated by the states and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Colorado in fact has some of the toughest methane emission rules in the nation.

The BLM rule imposes new red tape at an extraordinary price. New compliance costs could limit energy investments and shut down many Colorado wells, costing jobs and reducing royalty revenue streams that help fund Colorado schools and community services.

Colorado already benefits from strict but sensible energy regulations that protect communities and the environment while enabling energy development to proceed. The new BLM rule disrupts this balance.

Sens. Bennet and Gardner have been champions of well-regulated Colorado energy development. They should continue to support this important part of our state's economy by voting to reverse the BLM emission rule.

Jeff Wasden

As posted in the CO Springs Gazette