BLM SUED BY O AND G INDUSTRY OVER METHANE RULES
Denver—The Bureau of Land Management’s rule dealing with venting and flaring of methane is being challenged in court by the oil and gas industry. The Western Energy Alliance and the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPPA), filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court to have the rule struck down. Kathleen Sgamma is the Vice President of Public Affairs at the Alliance and says the suit says the federal government’s rule is an overreach. She says venting and flaring of methane is already carefully monitored by state government and the industry. She says more government oversight is unnecessary. She says according to the Environmental Protection Association’s greenhouse gas inventory, the entire oil and natural gas industry represents a little over three percent of total emissions in the United States.
GARCO EMPLOYEE MANUAL CHANGES
Glenwood Springs—Garfield County employees may want to re-read their employee manuals. County commissioners made a few changes this week after consulting with Human Resources Director Diane Hayes. Overtime pay was one of the hot topics. With leaner economic times ahead every department will be looking to watch expenses, including paying time and a half. Hayes says the manual now states that employees, on occasion, may be required to work hours outside their regularly scheduled shift. She says that’s particularly true with road and bridge workers and emergency personnel.
VAIL MOUNTAIN DELAYS SKI SEASON OPENING…TOO WARM
Vail— (AP) – Warm weather has forced Vail Mountain to push its opening day back one week. The mountain has set a new opening day of Nov. 25, though Vail Resorts had hoped to open on Friday. Beaver Creek Resort is still scheduled for a Wednesday, Nov. 23, opening day, conditions permitting, officials said. Keystone and Copper are set to open Friday; Breckenridge is slated to begin operations on Saturday.Vail Mountain officials say Thursday is expected to bring a shift in weather that will assist with snowmaking efforts.
