Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper Appears In Pro-Fracking Ad Sponsored By Oil & Gas Industry

[Report1212]

I've never heard of a sitting governor appear in an industry-sponsored advertisement. Have you?




The process of hydraulic fracking, or fracking, has come under fire in recent years as it has become apparent that this gas extraction technique poses significant risks to the environment and human health. Facing increasing pressure from environmental watchdogs and community groups, the oil and gas industry has spent millions of dollars to lobby against nationwide regulations on fracking, and gave large payments to former Sen. Rick Santorum while also apparently cooperating with the Koch Brothers.

Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper (D) is now being prominently featured in a new radio ad promoting fracking. Remarkably, the ad is being sponsored by the Colorado Oil & Gas Association (COGA). In the spot, Hickenlooper praises the industry, the assures the safety of fracking, and boasts of a new disclosure law related to fracking:

HICKENLOOPER: This is Governor John Hickenlooper. In 2008, Colorado passed tough oil and gas rules. Since then, we have not had one instance of groundwater contamination associated with drilling and hydraulic fracking. And we plan to keep it that way. That’s why Colorado recently passed the toughest and fairest hydraulic fracturing disclosure rule in the nation. In Colorado, we’ve proven that industry and the conservation community can come together to solve problems. We can create jobs, promote energy security, and protect our environment. Brought to you by the Colorado Oil & Gas Association.

Read more: http://www.republicreport.org/2012/colorado-governor-john-hickenlooper-appears-in-pro-fracking-ad-sponsored-by-oil-gas-industry/

[pstokely]

1. Primary him (nt)

nt

[Report1212]

2. Worst part is he's a former geologist by training

Hate to see him be on the wrong side of science.

[denverbill]

3. If we couldn't primary Bennett in 2010 we won't get rid of Hickenlooper either.

[kag]

4. Huh?

Bennett had a huge primary challenge, and should NOT have gotten the nomination.

I'll never forgive Obama for backing Bennett in the 2010 primary. Andrew Romanoff would have been a VASTLY better choice.

[Esse Quam Videri]

6. While I was a Romanoff guy through and through,

Bennett hasn't been too bad. Pretty much in lock step with Udall when it comes to their voting records. Of course if Andrew was in there that would be even better.

[kag]

8. Except for that bill he (Bennett) sponsored...

Last edited Thu Mar 1, 2012, 11:04 AM - Edit history (1)

that would have reduced overtime pay for tech workers. While I know he has *mostly* voted in concert with Udall, he certainly has departed from that record on occasion, and when he does it is to show just how much of a corporatist he is. Romanoff would have been SO much better.

I wonder if we could get Andrew to primary Hickenlooper? Probably not.

Of course, I know people who are pissed at Romanoff for not challenging Hick instead of Bennett in 2010.

[denverbill]

7. That's what I said.

Not many liberals I know of liked Bennett and most liked Romanoff a lot. So if we couldn't dump Bennett in a primary what makes you think we could get rid of Hickenlooper?

[Report1212]

5. Maybe ya'll can put enough pressure on him to back off fracking at least nt

[paulk]

9. of course...

Hickenlooper was and is a "New Dem". read: Moderate Republican.

I've always been amazed that so many of my liberal friends think this guy is a liberal. But, then again, he was my Mayor for two terms and I was paying attention.