The US Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) has granted the Colorado Oil and Gas Association a hearing on its protest of stricter noise rules.

"The commission did insist it would take a lot to convince it to make a change in its original decision," COGCC director Brian Macke said.
Ken Wonstolen, association senior vice-president and general counsel, said his group believed there was a lack of "due process" in the enacting of the rule.
The new rule reduces the level of noise allowed around wells and associated facilities such as compressor stations from 55 decibels during the day to 50 and from 50 at night to 45.