Evergreen Natural Resources - Lightning Gas Extraction Facility, Cokedale, Colorado

Evergreen Natural Resources - Lightning is a gas extraction facility situated in Las Animas County, Colorado, approximately 17.3 miles northwest of Cokedale. The facility is operational and falls under the jurisdiction of US federal pipeline safety regulations, including PHMSA and DOT 49 CFR Part 192, which govern the design, construction, and operation of gas infrastructure. The facility operates within the broader context of Colorado's natural gas industry, which is characterized by extensive pipeline networks and extraction sites in the Rocky Mountain region. While specific technical specifications such as capacity or operating pressure are not detailed, the facility's NAICS codes (211111 and 211130) indicate it is involved in crude petroleum and natural gas extraction, as well as natural gas liquid extraction. Typical gas extraction facilities in this region utilize hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling technologies to access gas reserves from formations like the Niobrara and Codell. Environmentally, the facility's location in a rural area of Las Animas County reduces immediate population density risks, but the region is subject to seismic activity and climate hazards such as wildfires and droughts. The facility's role in the local gas supply chain contributes to energy production for both residential and industrial use, supporting the broader US energy grid. Regulatory oversight ensures compliance with safety and environmental standards, including leak detection and emergency response protocols.

The facility is located in a rural area of Las Animas County, Colorado, with low population density, which reduces immediate risks from gas extraction operations. However, the region is prone to seismic activity and climate hazards such as wildfires and droughts, which can impact infrastructure integrity. Proximity to natural habitats and water sources requires careful management of potential leaks or spills to protect local ecosystems.