The Governing Body of the Colorado Produced Water Consortium (Consortium) and leadership from the Colorado Legislature announced appointments of additional members . The Consortium was created by the Colorado General Assembly to help reduce the consumption of freshwater within oil and gas operations.
“I am excited to work with this diverse group of experts to identify opportunities to reduce freshwater use and develop an informed path towards increasing reuse and recycling of produced water in oil and gas operations. The Governing Body is appreciative of the commitment and spirit of public service demonstrated by the new members of the Consortium and we look forward to getting to work,” said Commissioner John Messner of the Energy and Carbon Management Commission and a member of the Consortium’s Governing Body.
The Consortium’s Governing Body, appointed earlier in the month by Colorado Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Executive Director Dan Gibbs, appointed 22 additional members of the Consortium, effective July 1, 2023, who include:
Representatives from state or federal agencies:
- John Heil, Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission
- Tricia Pfeiffer, United States Environmental Protection Agency
- Peter McMahon, United States Geological Survey
- Brandi Honeycutt, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Representatives from research institutions or institutions of higher education:
- James Rosenblum, Colorado School of Mines
- Thomas Borch , Colorado State University
- Joseph Ryan, University of Colorado-Boulder
- Tzahi Cath, Colorado School of Mines
Representatives from environmental non-governmental organizations:
- Cloelle Danforth, Environmental Defense Fund
- Harmony Cummings, Colorado Rising
- Barbara Vasquez, Western Colorado Alliance
- Michael Freeman, Earthjustice
Representatives from the oil and gas industry:
- Mark Hefta, Chevron
- Jeffrey Kirtland, Terra Energy Partners
- Mackenzie Smith, Evergreen Natural Resources
- Michelina Paulek, The Energy Council
Representatives from local government:
- Emma Pinter, Adams County Commissioner
- Sean Strode, Rifle City Council
Representatives with experience and expertise in produced water:
- Doug White, NGL Energy Partners
- Grant Tupper, Select Energy Services
- Erik Anglund, Occidental Petroleum
- Clay Terry, Natural Resource Advisors
As directed by HB23-1242, the Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives made the following appointments:
- Kevin Chan, a member of a nongovernmental organization in the state that works with and advocates for disproportionately impacted communities and communities of color or who resides in a disproportionately impacted community.
- Irene Andress, a nongovernmental organization in the state that works on and advocates for policies related to environmental justice and conservation.
- Nikie Wells, a member of a nongovernmental organization in the state that works with and advocates for disproportionately impacted communities and communities of color or who reside in a disproportionately impacted community.
The President of the Colorado Senate also made three appointments:
- Jolie Brawner, a member of a nongovernmental organization in the state that works on and advocates for policies related to environmental justice and conservation.
- Jacob Smith, a member of a nongovernmental organization in the state that works on and advocates for policies related to environmental justice and conservation.
- Ember Michel, a member from a nongovernmental organization in the state that works with and advocates for disproportionately impacted communities and communities of color or who resides in a disproportionately impacted community.
The Governing Body members are: John Messner, Commissioner, Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission (formerly Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission); Tracy Kosloff, Deputy State Engineer, Division of Water Resources; and Trisha Oeth, Director of Environmental Health and Protection, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
The Colorado Produced Water Consortium was established in the Department of Natural Resources by HB23-1242 to help reduce the consumption of freshwater within oil and gas operations. The Consortium's responsibilities also include making recommendations towards developing an informed path for reuse and recycling of produced water inside and potentially outside of oil and gas operations within the state, measures to address barriers associated with the utilization of produced water and research to evaluate analytical and toxicological methods employed during produced water treatment.
The Consortium will be made up of 31 members representing state and federal agencies, research institutions, environmental groups, industry, local governments, environmental justice groups, and disproportionately impacted communities. The Governing Body appoints 22 members and the leadership of the Colorado General Assembly will appoint 6 members. DNR is also hiring a director of the Consortium. Interested individuals can apply here.
The Consortium will begin meeting this summer.