Records show several oil, gas facility explosions this year

DENVER (AP) — A Denver newspaper's review of state records shows at least a dozen explosions have occurred on oil and gas industry facilities in Colorado since an explosion killed two men in April.

The Denver Post reports the state has not taken enforcement action in the case of the deaths that occurred in the town of Firestone, citing the lack of rules covering fatal accidents in the oil and gas industry.

State regulators have proposed changes to some existing rules in response to the deaths, but the proposals do not deal with fatalities.

Officials with the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission say the agency does not have authority to impose penalties for fatal explosions.