Oil shale and water quality: the Colorado prospectus under federal, state, and international law

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1981 · Denver Law J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6312312

Dempsey, P S

Oil-shale exploration and development is a rational political and economic solution to US energy needs, but it could pose severe water-pollution problems. Three separate legal entities - state, federal, and international - with legitimate interests have created a complex regulatory system for the Colorado River. Besides the administrative complexities, these three levels of permitting may not ensure the protection of either water rights or water quality. A consolidated permit process to eliminate both overlapping and gaps will require more cooperation and standardization. A single entity could also be selected for final oversight, or market approaches to pollution used instead of current regulations. Whatever regulatory approach is chosen for oil-shale development, it must balance energy and environmental needs. 244 references. (DCK)

• Research Organization: Univ. of Denver Coll. of Law, CO
• OSTI ID: 6312312
• Journal Information: Denver Law J.; (United States), Vol. 58:4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
COLORADO RIVER
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL
OIL SHALE MINING
LEGAL ASPECTS
WATER POLLUTION
BILATERAL AGREEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
MEXICO
PERMITS
REGULATIONS
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
AGREEMENTS
CONTROL
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS
LATIN AMERICA
MINING
NORTH AMERICA
POLLUTION
POLLUTION CONTROL
RIVERS
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
041000* - Oil Shales & Tar Sands- Environmental Aspects
294004 - Energy Planning & Policy- Oil Shales & Tar Sands
520500 - Environment
Aquatic- Site Resource & Use Studies- (-1989)
530200 - Environmental-Social Aspects of Energy Technologies- Assessment of Energy Technologies- (-1989)