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Dave Neslin
Dave Neslin has been on the job for a little more than two months.
But as acting director of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, he is now leading the agency through one of the more important periods in its history.
The COGCC is in the middle of drafting new oil and gas rules for the state, changes that could have enormous effects on the future of the oil and gas industry.
"We hope these rules will really create a new regulatory regime for a new energy economy, one that includes a vibrant oil and gas industry, that also ensures protection for wildlife, the environment and our future quality of life, all the things that make Colorado a special place," Neslin said. "I think we can accomplish that. I think we can find win-win solutions to a lot of this, solutions that allow the industry to flourish, but ensure that other resources are protected at the same time."
Some oil and gas representatives have already said the proposed rules, which were released as an "initial, predraft rulemaking proposal," could have significant adverse impacts on the industry. But Meg Collins, president of the Colorado Oil & Gas Association, said she was looking forward to the beginning of work groups where industry can offer its "technical expertise" in drafting the new rules.
But as acting director of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, he is now leading the agency through one of the more important periods in its history.
The COGCC is in the middle of drafting new oil and gas rules for the state, changes that could have enormous effects on the future of the oil and gas industry.
"We hope these rules will really create a new regulatory regime for a new energy economy, one that includes a vibrant oil and gas industry, that also ensures protection for wildlife, the environment and our future quality of life, all the things that make Colorado a special place," Neslin said. "I think we can accomplish that. I think we can find win-win solutions to a lot of this, solutions that allow the industry to flourish, but ensure that other resources are protected at the same time."
Some oil and gas representatives have already said the proposed rules, which were released as an "initial, predraft rulemaking proposal," could have significant adverse impacts on the industry. But Meg Collins, president of the Colorado Oil & Gas Association, said she was looking forward to the beginning of work groups where industry can offer its "technical expertise" in drafting the new rules.
"We have a good working relationship with Mr. Neslin," Collins said. "Mr. Neslin is very interested in industry input. Industry is equally interested in being a vital resource (in the rulemaking process)."
The road to leading the COGCC
Neslin is an attorney who has lived in Colorado since 1983. For 24 years, he worked for the international law firm of Arnold & Porter in Denver, where he specialized in environmental law, public lands litigation and regulatory work.
One of his law partners had been Harris Sherman, the current executive director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources under Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter. After Sherman joined state government, Neslin went to work for DNR in August as the assistant director for energy and minerals.
"It was a change of pace for me," Neslin said. "It was a great time to be joining government with the Ritter administration."
Neslin said he has had the opportunity to work on some great issues, like the rulemaking the COGCC is currently undergoing, oil shale, and helping the state craft its response to the Bureau of Land Management's decision to open up public lands on the Roan Plateau to drilling.
Neslin was appointed as acting director of the COGCC in November, following the resignation of director Brian Macke.
The road to leading the COGCC
Neslin is an attorney who has lived in Colorado since 1983. For 24 years, he worked for the international law firm of Arnold & Porter in Denver, where he specialized in environmental law, public lands litigation and regulatory work.
One of his law partners had been Harris Sherman, the current executive director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources under Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter. After Sherman joined state government, Neslin went to work for DNR in August as the assistant director for energy and minerals.
"It was a change of pace for me," Neslin said. "It was a great time to be joining government with the Ritter administration."
Neslin said he has had the opportunity to work on some great issues, like the rulemaking the COGCC is currently undergoing, oil shale, and helping the state craft its response to the Bureau of Land Management's decision to open up public lands on the Roan Plateau to drilling.
Neslin was appointed as acting director of the COGCC in November, following the resignation of director Brian Macke.
"It has been a busy time and a steep learning curve," Neslin said.
Garfield Commissioner Trési Houpt, a Democrat who is also a member of the COGCC, said Neslin has done "an admirable" job in undertaking the drafting of the new rules, which Houpt called a "huge undertaking."
"He is doing a fine job," she said. "I believe we are conducting one of the most transparent and inclusive (rulemaking) processes. It is important we have a good balance in our process of moving energy development forward."
Developing new rules
The COGCC, in late November, issued its initial proposal for rules the agency may implement as it moves forward with implementing House bills 1298 and 1341. The 2007 legislation expanded the focus of the COGCC to consider public health and wildlife impacts and require use of best management practices to minimize harm from oil-and-gas development.
The COGCC is now holding a series of five meetings across the state to discuss the proposed rules. Neslin said the meetings were important because they allow COGCC staff to hear from people "on the front lines" of energy development. Neslin was at the first meeting, which was dominated by industry employees, in Battlement Mesa on Thursday.
"It was very helpful," Neslin said. "After the meeting, I expressed our appreciation to the people who attended and the people who spoke out. I appreciated the different perspectives."
Garfield Commissioner Trési Houpt, a Democrat who is also a member of the COGCC, said Neslin has done "an admirable" job in undertaking the drafting of the new rules, which Houpt called a "huge undertaking."
"He is doing a fine job," she said. "I believe we are conducting one of the most transparent and inclusive (rulemaking) processes. It is important we have a good balance in our process of moving energy development forward."
Developing new rules
The COGCC, in late November, issued its initial proposal for rules the agency may implement as it moves forward with implementing House bills 1298 and 1341. The 2007 legislation expanded the focus of the COGCC to consider public health and wildlife impacts and require use of best management practices to minimize harm from oil-and-gas development.
The COGCC is now holding a series of five meetings across the state to discuss the proposed rules. Neslin said the meetings were important because they allow COGCC staff to hear from people "on the front lines" of energy development. Neslin was at the first meeting, which was dominated by industry employees, in Battlement Mesa on Thursday.
"It was very helpful," Neslin said. "After the meeting, I expressed our appreciation to the people who attended and the people who spoke out. I appreciated the different perspectives."
There might be many constituencies that want to impart their opinions in the process, but Neslin said politics has not been a factor so far in the rule-making.
"It is going to be an open and broad dialogue," Neslin said. "We are going to try and develop the best rules we can."
Neslin said the agency has to do "the best job" it can in drafting the rules for the sake of Colorado's future.
"We have to listen to everyone, we have to consider all the input from the different stakeholders," Neslin said.
Contact Phillip Yates: 384-9117pyates@postindependent.com
Post Independent, Glenwood Springs, Colorado CO
"It is going to be an open and broad dialogue," Neslin said. "We are going to try and develop the best rules we can."
Neslin said the agency has to do "the best job" it can in drafting the rules for the sake of Colorado's future.
"We have to listen to everyone, we have to consider all the input from the different stakeholders," Neslin said.
Contact Phillip Yates: 384-9117pyates@postindependent.com
Post Independent, Glenwood Springs, Colorado CO
