Air quality commission votes unanimously to consider oil and gas emissions cuts

The Colorado Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) voted unanimously today to approve a rulemaking request to further cut harmful pollution from oil and gas operations in the state. The Commission will now embark on a process to evaluate proposals to cut releases of methane and ozone-forming volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from existing oil and gas equipment in the state, with a decision expected in February.

The issue at hand is devices used in oil and gas operations called pneumatic controllers and pumps. These devices help regulate the temperature and pressure in oil and gas equipment but release harmful pollution such as methane and VOCs directly into our air.

Fortunately, better technology is readily available. CoPIRG Foundation is calling on the state to require zero-emitting pneumatic devices on oil and gas equipment statewide as quickly as possible to protect our health and quality of life.

We have a severe air quality problem in Colorado, so we should no longer tolerate intentional, preventable releases of harmful pollution into the air we breathe.