Station:   KOA, 850 AM

Show:      Colorado’s Morning News

Guests:    Gardner, Cory

Link:        http://www.850koa.com/onair/colorados-morning-news-6691/

Date:       May 27, 2015

Topics:    Fracking, Hydraulic Fracturing, Oil and Gas, Energy Development, Jobs, Economy, Vital Colorado, Colorado Constitution, Water, Chemicals, Technology, Referendum, Ban, Patriot Act, National Security Adminsitration, Meta-Data, U.S. Freedom Act. Frack Focus

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[The following represents notes taken during this broadcasted interview.  All portions, except where identified as transcribed sections, are paraphrased from the questions and responses between the host and the guest.]

CO-HOST STEFFAN TUBBS:  Talk about the importance of having a D and an R agree on a controversial issue like fracking.

U.S. SENATOR CORY GARDNER:  This conversation talks about how energy in Colorado really transcends party lines or partisan division. The fact that we have seen hundreds of thousands of jobs in CO created by energy development. The millions of dollars in severance taxes that are funding our schools, our roads, and our bridges. I think that shows that this is more than just Democrats or Republicans, but this really is a CO issue that deserves discussion, attention, has certainly has done good by our state.

CO-HOST APRIL ZESBAUGH: As you know, environmentalists have been very vocal about their opposition to it.  You’ve got millions of gallons of water used in every job. You’ve got about 40 thousand gallons of chemicals used.  What happens to those chemicals? How do you make, I guess, the average Coloradoan feel safe about fracking?

U.S. SENATOR CORY GARDNER:  I think that’s why it’s important we have a well regulated industry.  In fact, CO is leading the nation when it comes to the regulations of energy development.  Things like Frack Focus, which CO is on the leading edge, that talks about what is used, what is not, continuous advancements, reduce the amount of water that is being required – hopefully to the point that maybe someday that we won’t even need to use water.  But they can use some other new technology that is proven right here in CO, through the development and ongoing research that is involved in organizations like Vital Colorado.  So, I think it’s important that the people of Colorado understand what is going on, how this industry is regulated, and that this is really is something that is an important part of Colorado’s economy.

TUBBS:  Do you believe, though, Senator, that the people should have the final say, i.e. communities banning fracking?

U.S. SENATOR CORY GARDNER: Well, again, I think it’s a matter of the Colorado Constitution.  The Colorado constitution leaves this in the hands of the state and the state policy makers and that’s a matter of constitutional law at the state level.

ZESBAUGH: I’d love to get your opinion on the extension of the Patriot Act.  The Senate didn’t get to vote on it before you guys recessed.  Will you get to vote by Sunday night at midnight?

U.S. SENATOR CORY GARDNER: Well, the Senate actually did vote on it.  I voted against the reauthorization of a straight up Patriot Act.  And the straight up reauthorization failed.  And so, I assume we’ll be voting again on Sunday night, about some other kind of way forward, like the USA Freedom Act, which I would support, which dramatically reforms NSA’s ability to snoop on private citizens.

TUBBS:  Senator Cory Gardner, joining us.  Thank you, sir.

U.S. SENATOR CORY GARDNER: Thanks for having me.