What was a West Slope organization formed to educate people about oil and natural gas development has changed its name and reach.

What was the Piceance Energy Action Council is now the Colorado Rural Energy Action Committee.

“We understand that oil and gas development is statewide, and we need to expand our mission to educate people throughout Colorado about the industry, its impact and decades-long safety record,” said Keira Bresnahan, Western Colorado director for the group.

The Piceance Energy Action Council was launched in the fall of 2015 with a mission to educate people in Western Colorado about the importance and benefits of responsible energy development.

“We will remain steadfast in our mission. Our steering committee made up of nearly two dozen people representing a vast arena of businesses is dedicated to serving the mission,” Bresnahan said. “We realize if we can each share facts with our neighbors and the people we come in contact with on a daily basis that we can make a difference.”

While Bresnahan continues in her role in Western Colorado, Josh Sonnenberg serves as Eastern Colorado director of the group.

“I’m excited to be part of this combined state effort. The oil and gas industry is a huge part of our state’s economic picture and plays a vital role in our nation’s independence.  Understanding the industry is paramount as a citizen of Colorado,” Sonnenberg said.

Bresnahan said the group wants people to have the facts.

“There’s so much fictional noise about fracking and the industry as a whole,” she said. “Beyond providing a vital energy source that we use every second of every day, this industry and its people provide funding for our children’s schools, public parks, community centers and so much more.  We wouldn’t be where we are today without the oil and gas industry.”