Three ways to keep energy development responsible in the United States

Re: “Three ways to keep energy development strong in U.S.,” Dec. 21 letter to the editor

In response to the letter writer’s three points to secure the USA’S energy future, I offer the following:

1) Record production of crude oil and natural gas has not occurred by allowing more drilling on federal lands! The mantra of, “drill, baby, drill” is misinformed. Although the Biden administration has limited drilling on federal/public lands, it is the commodity price and rate of return on investment that is the determining factor for domestic oil and natural gas production companies to drill and produce or not, basically the capitalistic approach! We do not need to drill on every square mile within our borders!

2) What burdensome regulations is the letter writer talking about? Setbacks away from schools, subdivisions and retail businesses? Requirements to document and shut old wells and gathering lines to allow subdivisions and homeowners to know exactly what is under or near their homes? Paying to clean up spill sites when and if they occur? What came first, the oil field and all the jobs it supports or the thousands of homes that are now on top of it? Would you be in favor of having a drilling rig or pumpjack next to her home?

3) If policymakers or elected officials at the county and state level allowed the energy industry a free hand in energy development and production growth, the state would be the modern- day version of the Wild Wild West. Those same officials would be out of their jobs after the next election. All parties need to work as willing partners, not adversaries; doing this will ensure Colorado and the United States continue to be the world’s leaders in energy production James Koscielniak, !—

Englewood