Colorado air quality leaders vote unanimously to consider oil and gas emissions cuts

DENVER – The Colorado Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) voted unanimously on Wednesday 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. 

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

The oil and gas sector is one of the top contributors to ozone pollution in Colorado. Devices such as pneumatic controllers and pumps contribute to the problem, as they can release methane and ozone-forming VOCs directly into the air.

In response, CoPIRG Foundation Clean Air Advocate Kirsten Schatz issued the following statement: 

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. We’re glad to see our state air quality leaders taking on this important issue.

Better technology is readily available. The state should move to require zero-emitting pneumatic devices on oil and gas equipment statewide as quickly as possible.

Operators already use zero-emitting pneumatic devices on newly-installed equipment; now it’s time to stop preventable releases of harmful pollution from existing equipment as well. Our health and quality of life demand no less.

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