HB 23-1069

House Bill 23-1069 creates a working group within the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to study the use of biochar in plugging oil and gas wells. The bill requires Colorado State University to conduct research on this topic and report its findings by June 1, 2024. If the results are promising, the university will develop recommendations for a pilot program. The bill has been signed into law and is now effective, meaning that the necessary studies and reports must begin immediately. This affects oil and gas companies in Colorado as it could lead to new regulations or practices regarding well plugging.

Official Summary

The act creates the biochar in oil and gas well plugging working advisory group (work group) in the oil and gas conservation commission (commission). The act also requires Colorado state university (university) to conduct various studies and laboratory work on the use of biochar in the plugging of oil and gas wells and, no later than June 1, 2024, report the results of the studies and laboratory work to the work group. If, based on the report, the work group determines that a pilot program to study the use of biochar in the plugging of oil and gas wells would have a positive impact on the state, the work group must direct the university to make recommendations regarding the development of a pilot program. No later than December 1, 2024, the university must submit a draft report of its recommendations to the work group. No later than December 15, 2024, the university shall, in consultation with the work group, create a final report and submit the final report to the director of the commission. For the 2023-24 state fiscal year, the act appropriates $370,140 from the oil and gas conservation and environmental response fund (fund) to the department of higher education for use by the board of governors of the university for the work group. For the 2023-24 state fiscal year, the act appropriates $5,600 from the fund to the department of natural resources for use by the commission for program costs related to the act. APPROVED by Governor May 18, 2023 EFFECTIVE May 18, 2023 (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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