Dianne E. Sheverie,
38969 Pitkin Rd.
Paonia, CO 81428,
720-427-2029.

800 28th St. #622,
Boulder, CO 80303.

21 April, 2012.

William H. Stallings,
Chief, Transportation, Energy and Agriculture Section,
Antitrust Division,
U.S. Department of Justice,
450 Fifth Street NW St 800,
Washington, DC 20530.

Dear Bill,

A friend alerted to the end of comment period April 23rd in The US vs. SGI, et al. I called Friday, too late to learn if comments can be emailed. It was friendly sounding on your outgoing message and refreshing to hear. 

Included in this letter are specific reasons why I am requesting that the settlement be set aside and harsher penalties assessed. 

First I acknowledge that you are charged with detailed guidelines in finding your determination. However in reading The Federal Register Notice ethical questions arise outside of the confines of legalism. Just because a settlement is arrived at legally doesn’t mean it is right.


P. 2 of 4

Reading through The Notice it is clear that there was a MOU between the two companies. Representatives claim they settled to save the expense of defense and denied any guilt saying their actions are commons practice in the industry. Just because practices are common doesn’t mean they are either legal or if legal that they are ethical.

From the perspective of one among many who face potentially devastating impacts from the actions for not only these two companies but also many more the public interest this specific instance and in the future by more severe penalties and/or further investigation into common practices which may well be found to be illegal in addition to being unethical.

We live in a time when concentrations of wealth and accompanying political influence threaten quality of life for ordinary citizens in too many ways to mention here. My interest in this case is linked to the potential threats to water resources and quality of life in the areas where these violations took place.

P. 3 of 4.

The checks and balances built into our Federal Government have almost completely disappeared. As a person in a very important position you can make a huge difference. I am not a lawyer. I look to you to watch out for the future because of the special role you play.
If this settlement is set aside and the matter looked at in more detail it will be a worthwhile investment to protect the public interest now and for future generations. A thorough investigation might or might not find them innocent. In any event it would raise many points which ought to be explored publicly about common practices and the common good.
Brad Robinson, President of GEC, said to a local newspaper reporter that the settlement will enable the company to avoid even more expense defending itself. If they hadn’t engaged in questionable practices they would have those expenses. The expenses are usually reduced to monetary expenses but the oil and gas industry has the ability to cost society as a whole immeasurably and sadly in some

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instances irreparable damage. The time for ignoring the real total cost of our actions is past.

It is ironic that a young protestor in Utah names Tim DeChristopher acting without forethought faces prison time for disrupting one lease sale while corporations with forethought act in an unethical manner, pay with relatively much small consequences and go on to conduct business as usual. 

So, I call on you in the D.O.J. to set aside this Proposed Final Settlement and 1.) determine whether SGI & GEC obtained other leases improperly; 2.) require them to give up the leases so obtained; 3.) enter into a through public investigation of industry practices via this case. These action will lead to a sorely need discourse on proper regulation of the oil and gas industry for the public good.

Sincerely,
(Signature)

Map of Beach Ranch Area