Colorado’s Udall, Allard, oppose oil shale proposal

DENVER ” U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard and Democratic congressman Mark Udall rebuked a proposal by a Utah congressman that would allow President Bush to skip regulatory hurdles and begin oil shale development.

The proposal introduced this week by Utah Rep. Chris Cannon would allow immediate development of oil shale on public land. Allard supports oil shale development, but spokesman Steve Wymer says the senator will oppose any proposal that skips the regulatory process.

Udall says the proposal proves some have “oil shale fever” and want to sacrifice Colorado’s Western Slope.

Oil shale is trapped in rocks and up to 1.8 trillion barrels of oil are believed to be locked in a region that includes Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming.

Shale is converted to oil by being heated.