Today, House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rob Bishop (R-Utah) and U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton (R-Colo.) presided over a field hearing in Grand Junction, Colorado to examine opportunities for the export of natural gas from the Piceance Basin through the proposed Jordan Cove Energy and Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline and to evaluate the potential for development of domestic oil shale resources in the area.

“Today’s field hearing revealed the abundance of American energy available for exploration,” Chairman Bishop said. “Our western states hold vast reservoirs of liquid natural gas and oil shale, but there remains unnecessary regulatory burdens to moving energy products to areas of demand. I would like to thank U.S. Rep. Tipton for working tirelessly to bring this issue to light for Colorado’s third congressional district and fighting to bring well-paying jobs to the people of Colorado and across the nation.  With what we’ve learned today, we can better pursue a path forward that will allow for strategic and environmentally safe energy extraction.”

“Western Colorado benefits from immense energy resources,” Rep. Tipton stressed. “When developed responsibly, these resources can provide good paying jobs, support public school systems, infrastructure, and essential community services. That’s why I have long called for an all-of the-above strategy for responsible energy development on federal lands, and was glad to have the opportunity to speak with expert witnesses about steps the federal government can take to help Western Colorado fulfill its energy potential.”

Click here for more information on the field hearing.

Background:               

In June of 2016, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) announced that the Mancos Shale deposit in the Piceance Basin had the potential to be the second largest natural gas deposit in the United States.

The proposed development of the Jordan Cove liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Coos Bay, Oregon, as well as the Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline (PCGP), would connect the terminal with other pipelines in the Northwest.  These projects would allow natural gas from the Rocky Mountain region, including the Piceance Basin, and elsewhere to be transported to markets in the Pacific Northwest and abroad. The opportunity for export through the Jordan Cove terminal could sustain energy development and job growth in western Colorado for years to come.

The proposed projects have faced federal regulatory uncertainty and lengthy delays in permit approval. Presently, they are undergoing regulatory review at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and a decision is expected in late 2018.  On January 25, 2017, Tipton wrote to the Trump administration requesting that the White House quickly reconsider the Jordan Cove project application.

Western Colorado is also home to some of the world’s largest oil shales deposits. Oil shale has gone undeveloped but was identified as strategically important in the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

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