Oil Shale RD&D Open Houses to be held in Rangley, Meeker

MEEKER, Colo. – The first two open house meetings to keep the public informed of the Bureau of Land Management’s oil shale research, development and demonstration (RD&D) process in Colorado will be held in Rio Blanco County next week: in Rangley March 28 at Rangley High School, 234 South Jones Avenue; and in Meeker March 30 at the Fairfield Center, 200 Main St.

The open house meetings will provide an opportunity for the public to comment, learn about the BLM’s environmental review process for Colorado’s five 160-acre RD&D proposals, and speak to representatives from each nominating company.

The open houses will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. The public is encouraged to stop by anytime during the open house. There will be short presentations at 4 p.m., 5 p.m., and 6 p.m.

Additional meetings will be held April 4 in Rifle at the County Fairgrounds and April 6 in Grand Junction at the Doubletree Hotel, 743 Horizon.

“We want to make sure that the public is a part of the environmental review process, and ultimately that their input is considered when we make final leasing decisions on these oil shale proposals,” said Kent Walter, White River Field Manager.

-BLM-