In an unfolding controversy that has put state transparency under scrutiny, Weld County officials have voiced their frustration with the state’s handling of sensitive environmental data. The Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC), previously known as the state’s Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, stands accused of delaying the disclosure of falsified data tied to oil and gas well remediation, data that Weld County believes is crucial for local oversight.
According to Weld County Commissioner Chair Kevin Ross, as obtained by Weld County, expressed this disappointment starkly, "The state had information about incorrect data in July; information directly related to facilities in Weld County,” he disclosed. “And they didn’t say a word until last week — that’s a problem.” Ross's statements punctuate a growing tense relationship between state and county officials over environmental governance.
The dispute came to light when the Weld County Oil and Gas Energy Department (OGED) Director, Jason Maxey, was informed shortly before an emergency ECMC meeting on November 26 about falsified information related to oil and gas site remediation. Despite Maxey's immediate request for further specifics on the site locations and chemical data involved, none was forthcoming from the ECMC.
After a week of silence, Weld County didn’t just sit on its hands. On December 2, incoming OGED Director Brett Cavanagh penned a detailed request to ECMC Director Julie Murphey. According to Weld County, Cavanagh's letter demanded extensive documentation, including “all data integrity notifications received by the ECMC regarding incorrect information submitted to the commission … from 2021 to 2024,” along with analytical work on "potential negative health impacts or additional remediation measures required."
