ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERTS TESTIFY AT DAY 2 COGCC HEARINGS

Though they started 45 minutes later than listed in the Agenda, the following groups & individuals did testify:

Katherine Merlin, of 350 Colorado, refuted some previous testimony from industry, and moderated the other panelist presentations. Here is one of her slides:

Dr. Lisa McKenzie, professor at Anschutz UC-Denver, testified about how dangerous the chemicals are from fracking

Dr. Sandra Steingraber, famous biologist and activist from New York, also testified about the toxicity and environmental harm from fracking.

Dr. Robert Howarth, MIT biology professor and Earth systems scientist, gave recorded testimony about how fracking contributes the greatest percentage of total methane to our GHG emissions.

(At this point, the COGCC moderator informed Katherine that she’d exceeded her time limit; Katherine replied the Commissioners had granted them a bit more time, and continued.)

Dr. Beth Ewaskowitz, shared testimony on the blood testing of her young son. Katheryn Maicula, mother, wife, resident of Erie, testified about the extreme impacts of air pollution from fracking on her family and other residents (continuous vomiting, nausea, headaches). After they moved to Estes Park, her family’s illnesses disappeared.

Micah Parkin, director of 350 Colorado, ran down a list of recommendations to the COGCC. Here’s a slide of that:

Afterwards, there was some Q&A between the panelists and the Commissioners. In particular, the need for better coordination between the COGCC and the AQCC regarding continuous monitoring of air quality. ED Jeff Robbins did question Mrs Maicula about her story. There was substantive discussions of setbacks, and how a Bella Romero should never happen again. Discussion concluded about 3:30pm.

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