Tools

Oil Shale Land Dispute

by KREX News Room
by Courtney Griffin

Story Created: Oct 25, 2012 at 5:42 PM MDT

Story Updated: Oct 25, 2012 at 7:10 PM MDT

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.- A group of business owners say they don't agree with the stance taken by the Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce and Club 20 regarding land development for oil shale.

In a letter expressing their concerns, some business owners say they want to protect the Colorado River, which they say is already too low.

Twelve business owners around the region say they want more research done on water safety and viable technology before land is granted to develop oil shale.

However, Club 20 officials say companies will follow the research, development and demonstration outline.

There are two proposed drafts written by the Bureau of Land Management covering the topic of land for oil shale development.

Club 20, along with the Chamber of Commerce, say they prefer using the draft allowing for more acreage to do research on; it came out in 2008.

The 12 business owners do not agree; they favor the second draft, which was created this year by the BLM. This draft cuts the available land by nearly 280,000 acres.

Business owners say they believe the resources that will have to go into oil shale exceed the outcome.

Club 20, on the other hand, says it is important to do the research first to find out what resources are necessary to begin with.

You have indicated this comment should be removed.

Close

The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .

Floyd said on Friday, Oct 26 at 3:23 PM

Taxpayer, the environmentalists have gotten 90 billion dollars for research, the oil companys recieved 2.5 billion. The environmentalists spent the vast majority of their/our money on themselves or their favorite politician. The oil companys spent their money on research, they know what they are talking about, the environmentalists keep wanting more money for the same thing they have always spent money on, themselves. Who do you think the American people would rather see the money spent on? They would rather see the money spent on those who produce tangible results that actually become JOBS. Environmental jobs have a long history of being very short lived.

voting taxpayer said on Friday, Oct 26 at 12:12 PM

Fellow taxpayer.Research has been done.Not as much that has been done as the XL Keystone pipe line.But alot of research.Which cost we the people alot of money.They know this.In the late 70's and early 80's we were already doing it.We have a mountain of research.It's like the leak in the Gulf.Just get out of the way and let the professionals do there job.All americadoes is get better.

taxpayer said on Friday, Oct 26 at 10:48 AM

No one is arguing against research - despite what what reported. The point seems to be given that a number of companies with significant resources and capable staff haven't been able to develop viable commercial scale development, why should we put our water and land at risk before the research is completed?

Barb said on Friday, Oct 26 at 10:38 AM

Lets see, twelve business owners amount to about .11 percent of all businesses in the local area. That is not even newsworthy. The sooner we get moving with oil shale the better for all of us.

voting taxpayer said on Friday, Oct 26 at 9:20 AM

Well theirs twelve businesses I won't support.Why is it OK for Arapahoe Basin to expand?All these ski resorts using millions of gallon of water a day?If your so concerned.The radical terrorist group EPA letting the pine bettle continue to devastate our forest.Why is all this OK?Where are you at?Oh!It's only what you want when you ecide to have it.And the hell with the rest of the working american voting taxpayers

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

KREX - News, Weather, Sports for Grand Junction | Montrose | Glenwood Springs - Coverage You Can Count On and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

Most Popular
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
News Channel 5 Weather