STATEMENT: Colorado air quality leaders vote in favor of cutting oil & gas emissions

DENVER – The Colorado Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) voted unanimously on Friday to cut harmful pollution from oil and gas operations in the state. The new policy will require operators to eliminate emissions from gas-powered pneumatic controllers and pumps at oil and gas facilities by May 2027 within the Denver Metro/North Front Range Ozone Nonattainment Area and by March 2029 for the rest of the state.

In recent years, the Denver Metro/North Front Range region has suffered from some of the highest ozone pollution in the country. Three counties in the region – Jefferson, Douglas and Arapahoe – rank among the top 20 most polluted counties in the nation for ozone levels. Breathing high levels of ground-level ozone can cause harmful health effects including lung damage, worsening of existing respiratory conditions such as asthma and even cardiovascular disease. 

The oil and gas sector is one of the top contributors to ozone pollution in Colorado. Traditional pneumatic controllers and pumps, commonly used in oil and gas operations, are designed to release methane and ozone-forming volatile organic compounds (VOCs) directly into the air as they regulate the flow of oil or gas. Zero-emitting alternatives use compressed air or other methods to accomplish the same task without allowing methane or VOCs to enter the air.

In response to today’s vote, CoPIRG Foundation Clean Air Advocate Kirsten Schatz issued the following statement: 

“It’s long past time we stopped tolerating such poor air quality in Colorado, especially when there are steps we can take to prevent it. This is what the AQCC is for, and we’re grateful that the commission is taking action to require cleaner technology on oil and gas equipment statewide.

It’s absurd that oil and gas facilities still use devices specifically designed to emit harmful pollution into the air. Zero-emitting controllers and pumps are better, both for air quality and for efficient operations, so it makes sense that the industry should make the switch. Our health and quality of life depend on clean air to breathe, so we’re glad this new pollution-cutting policy will be implemented in the next few years.”

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