Allard, Salazar agree on Roan bill

After months of battling on the issue, Colorado's two senators today agreed on a proposed law that could bring more than $32 million to the state.

Sens. Wayne Allard, a Loveland Republican, and Ken Salazar, a Denver Democrat, will offer legislation that would require the federal government to turn over a portion of revenue from oil and gas leases at a key site on the Roan Plateau.

"We know that in Colorado, these funds will have a huge impact on our local communities," Allard said.

The money would come from drilling leases on the former Navy Oil Shale Reserve. The funds are monies leftover after cleanup of the Anvil Points Research Facility in Rifle.

Under the proposed law, the state and federal government would split what's left after cleanup, now about $65 million and growing by about $1.5 million a month.

Of the state's share, 80 percent would be split equally between Garfield County and Rio Blanco County. Moffat and Mesa Counties would each get half of the remaining 20 percent.

"This bill ensures that our West Slope communities can use those funds to maintain the natural habitat, infrastructure and quality of life that make Colorado the best state in the nation," Salazar said.

Salazar had earlier offered a bill giving the money to Garfield and Rio Blanco counties, arguing that those are the places most affected by the energy development at the site. During a recent tour of those communities, Salazar told residents they deserved the money.

Allard had offered a separate bill earlier. He said that he wanted the money to help Western Slope communities but didn't specify which ones in his bill.

For weeks, Allard criticized Salazar for blocking the senior senator's bill on Anvil Points, saying it threatened the state's ability to get the money that the federal government now is eyeing.

U.S. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne told Allard and other senators this morning that the government did not share the state's view that it was entitled to half the money after the cleanup costs.

Kempthorne also said he expects the cleanup to be certified in June.

Rep. John Salazar, a Manassa Democrat, will offer the same bill in the House.

Anne C. Mulkern: 202-662-8907 or amulkern@denverpost.com

Bookmark/Search this post with: