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Head of state oil, gas panel resigns

Todd Hartman, Rocky Mountain News

Published October 19, 2007 at midnight

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The head of Colorado's Oil and Gas Conservation Commission announced his resignation Thursday, marking another shift in state oversight of the booming industry.

Brian Macke ran the commission since 2004 and was deputy director before that, starting in 1993. Macke was the public face of a commission that in recent years had come under criticism from residents and environmentalists who believed it was too industry-friendly.

But others viewed Macke as highly knowledgeable, at ease with the technical nature of the industry, and an authority on the state's regulations. Many also considered him evenhanded in his dealings with companies and drilling-weary activists.

His departure is the latest thunderbolt to strike the oil and gas business in the state. Earlier this year, state lawmakers passed several new laws designed to bring greater scrutiny to an industry that has added 12,000 new wells in the past seven years and is on pace to add tens of thousands more in coming decades.

The most significant legislation expanded and diversified the state's oil and gas commission, changing it from a seven-member, industry-dominated board to a nine-member board with three industry representatives and more voices representing environmental and health interests.

Despite the shifting political landscape, however, Department of Natural Resources spokeswoman Deb Frazier said DNR Director Harris Sherman "did everything he could" to get Macke to stay aboard.

"Brian has made a tremendous contribution to the thoughtful development of Colorado's oil and gas resources," Sherman said in a statement.

A Western Slope activist often critical of state regulators said he had respect for Macke, but added that it was time for him to go.

"I always thought Brian was a little too cozy with the industry," said Duke Cox, past president of the Grand Valley Citizens Alliance.

But an industry official said Macke will be missed. "Brian's experience and stature are going to be difficult to replace," said Meg Collins, president of the Colorado Oil & Gas Association.

or 303-954-5048 The Associated Press contributed to this report.