Head of Colorado Oil And Gas Regulatory Agency Resigns

ACROSS COLORADO - From Colorado Department of Natural Resources: Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission director Matt Lepore is resigning as director of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to return to the private sector effective March 2 . Lepore was appointed director of the COGCC in August of 2012.

Under Lepore’s leadership, the COGCC comprehensively strengthened the state’s oil and gas regulations, expanded Commission staff to improve oversight of industry activities, amplified the role of local governments and dramatically increased the access and volume of regulatory data available to the public.

“Matt performed one of the most demanding jobs in state government. He did so with style and substance that provided calm over an area often at the center of controversy,” said Governor John Hickenlooper. “Matt always put safeguarding public safety and the environment first. Under his leadership, Colorado developed regulations that have been used as models across the country.”

Lepore led regulatory changes to increase distances between drilling and neighborhoods; reduce the effects of light, noise and odors; protect and monitor groundwater; tighten requirements for spill reporting; significantly elevate penalties for operators violating Commission rules; toughen requirements for operating in floodplains; increase the role of local governments in siting large operations near communities and overhaul requirements for design, installation, maintenance, testing, tracking and abandoning flowlines.

“Leading this agency has been the professional privilege and challenge of a lifetime,” Lepore said. “We benefit from the participation of so many outstanding citizens, industry representatives and COGCC staff and commissioners, working together in good faith through the inherently difficult issues that can arise in balancing increasing energy production within a growing state. We have made it a priority to engage with a broad range of stakeholders to forge durable regulatory solutions. The resulting regulations have often been held up as national and even international examples of effective oil and gas regulation.”

Under Lepore’s leadership, COGCC has not only implemented changes to agency rules but has significantly expanded inspection, engineering, reclamation, and environmental staff; increased ease of access to, and the volume of, data available to the public; intensified collaboration with local governments; sponsored ongoing studies to increase understanding of impacts to air and water; and adopted several formal policies to address health, safety, and environmental issues brought about by new technologies, all amid an unprecedented increase in oil and gas development in Colorado.

“Matt presided over dramatic regulatory changes at COGCC, and navigated that challenge with poise and professionalism,” said Bob Randall, executive director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. “Few have worked harder, and with more focus and steady determination over the last five and a half years. Colorado and DNR have benefitted from his dedication and perseverance in developing one of country’s strongest regulatory approaches to oil and gas development.”

Randall has appointed Julie Murphy, the Assistant Director for Energy and Minerals at the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, as COGCC’s new director. At DNR, Murphy addressed policy, technical and legal perspectives on oil and gas, as well as mining and reclamation. Prior to her DNR role she worked at the COGCC as the Hearings and Regulatory Affairs Manager, directing the agency's legal affairs and its attorneys. And prior to that role, Murphy represented the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety and COGCC as an Assistant Attorney General.

She spent five years in private practice before joining the public sector. Her educational background includes degrees in wildlife biology, natural resources management and policy and law.

“Julie brings a steady hand to the agency helm,” said COGCC’s board chairman John Benton. “Her experience, intellect and equable nature will serve her - and our state - well. We’re fortunate to have someone of Julie’s capability and competency ready to step into this role and oversee the responsible and balanced development of Colorado’s oil and gas resources.”

Lepore will be joining Adamantine Energy, a private consulting firm that he describes as tackling the fundamental challenges of energy development at the root causes by working for the best and most inclusive energy outcomes for everyone - industry, government, citizens and the environment.

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