Smog Reductions Planned for all of Colorado

Community health stands to benefit if smog reductions across the state of Colorado are approved by the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission this fall.

Tomorrow, the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division is thankfully slated to propose that the Air Quality Control Commission approve new regulations to reduce pollution from oil and gas developments across the state. If adopted, the proposal would reduce emissions of smog forming compounds by over 90% from condensate tanks, glycol dehydrators, and internal combustion engines, which are contributing to rising smog levels, especially in western Colorado.

Smog, also known as ozone, can lead to reduced birth weight among newborns, increased asthma attacks, wheezing and difficulty breathing among children, and irritated linings in the throat and lungs. Even at levels below federal health standards, children are at risk. A study in 2006 published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives reported:

At levels of ozone exposure near or below current U.S. EPA standards, infants are at increased risk of respiratory symptoms, particularly infants whose mothers have physician-diagnosed asthma.

When it comes to protecting our children, we can't wait for air pollution to become a problem before we act.

Monitoring in Mesa Verde National Park in southwestern Colorado shows that smog levels are rising. Peak annual ozone concentrations have even exceeded the federally established health limit of 80 parts per billion as emissions from the oil and gas industry have steadily risen. If trends continue, ozone health standards could be violated in Mesa Verde by 2008.

Peak Annual Ozone Concentrations in Mesa Verde National Park

At the same time, oil and gas development is booming throughout the state. According to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, record numbers of drilling permits have been issued. As of August 1, a total of 2748 drilling permits have been issued. This is more than the total number of permits issued for the entire years of 2004 and 2003.

Drilling Permits Issued by Year in Top 7 Producing Counties

County	2006 (as of August 1)	2005	2004	2003
Garfield	898	1508	796	566
Weld	694	901	832	757
Las Animas	233	413	332	180
Mesa	157	161	54	27
Rio Blanco	198	136	154	179
La Plata	143	115	102	162
Yuma	425	782	237	138
TOTALS	2748	4016	2507	2009

Studies by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment show that oil and gas developments are a significant source of smog forming compounds. In the Denver metro area, uncontrolled flash emissions from oil and gas developments are the source of 33% of the area’s smog, more than any other source. Despite their contribution to ozone pollution, the oil and gas industry has not yet been required to reduce ozone pollution. The state is making a smart move to proactively protect our clean air in this case, rather than wait until pollution becomes a problem.