Rule changes made as a result of that legislation, including extensive opportunities for public comment, have done just that, Griebling said. Others disagreed, however, saying the panel is still too heavily dominated by the oil and gas industry. La Plata County Commissioner Josh Joswick called on the legislative committees to change the makeup of the board to include fewer industry-related people, particularly because of a recent population boom in the county that creates more conflicts with natural gas drilling. Residential development and industrial development are not, by nature, compatible. Development does not occur inside a bubble.
Production affects people's lives.
Joswick and Gwen Lachelt, director of the San Juan Citizens Alliance, testified that five of the seven panelist have ties to the industry, creating potential conflicts of interest. Griebling, however, countered that only four commissioners have actual ties to oil and gas companies, while the remaining three have limited dealings with the industry. The remaining members include a local government representative, an environmental worker and a landowner who allows drilling. Matheson's Durango-based Plateau Environmental Services, a consulting firm, has some contracts with oil and gas companies, while Blackwell has a degree in geology and work experience with the industry. Matheson, who also attended Wednesday's briefing but did not address lawmakers, said that less than 10 percent of his business involves the industry, and primarily in atmospheric-related jobs.