Operators typically can access the wells and lines day or night, seven days a week. La Plata County is the state's leading producer of natural gas. Most of the gas produced here is the controversial coal-bed methane. This is natural gas extracted from coal seams after vast quantities of water are pumped out of the coals. Many residents and officials suspect dewatering contributes to gas seeps into aquifers, water wells, soils and air.
Industry disputes that.
The only way to investigate the phenomenon, county adviser Warren Holland has said, is to look at the cumulative effects of many wells. There are a lot of things that will be tough about it. I'm looking for solutions. Matheson said after the meeting that surface owners and industry have to come to terms with each other in this county and state. Natural gas is a clean fuel that is more environmentally sound than burning coal or oil, he said.