Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet issued the following statement on the announcement that negotiators have reached an agreement to create a task force charged with reviewing current oil and gas practices in the state and making recommendations to the legislature to give local communities more input over oil and gas drilling.

“Colorado’s diverse energy industry supports jobs, helps drive our economy, and reduces our dependence on foreign sources of energy. Natural gas in particular is an important resource in our drive to reduce carbon pollution. Over the past decade, we have worked hard in Colorado to prove that we can protect public health and the environment while responsibly developing these resources.

“Despite these successes, our communities are raising legitimate concerns as rigs pop up near residential areas and schools.

“Coloradans have proven we can find stronger, more comprehensive, and more effective solutions when everyone comes to the table. Today’s agreement to create a task force to forge a solution signals a better path and will hopefully allow us to move away from a protracted, costly, and divisive fight at the ballot box.”