A Breath of Fresh Air
the monthly electronic newsletter of
Rocky Mountain Clean Air Action
Contents - Rocky Mountain Clean Air Action Targets Smog
- EPA Plays Politics With Clean Air: Thousands to Die Prematurely
- Board Member Profile: Meet Lauren McCain!
- What Else is New(s)?
- Join Rocky Mountain Clean Air Action!
Rocky Mountain Clean Air Action Targets Smog
Oil and gas developments release more smog forming compounds than any other stationary source in Colorado.
Collectively, they release 71% of all smog forming compounds, also known as volatile organic compounds, released by stationary sources in the state. These smog forming compounds are fouling the skies of Denver, the Grand Valley, the four corners, Mesa Verde National Park, and other parts of Colorado.
And that's not the half of it. Did you know that oil and gas developments release 83% of all formaldehyde released by stationary sources in Colorado? Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and a smog forming compound, yet oil and gas developments release 1,877,582 pounds every year in the state. They also release more benzene, acetaldehyde, acrolein, hexane, toluene, and xylenes, all of which are toxic smog forming compounds, than any other stationary source.
Armed with this knowledge, Rocky Mountain Clean Air Action is now taking aim to clean our air and reduce toxic smog forming compounds from oil and gas development. The state of Colorado is proposing a rule that would do just that, both in the Denver metro area and statewide. We're weighing right now in to fend off industry opposition to the rule and convince the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission that smog reductions are needed.
You can also voice your support for the smog reductions, and make sure the Commission acts to clean our air from oil and gas air pollution. With your support, we're sure to get the smog reductions we need across Colorado.
EPA Plays Politics With Clean Air: Thousands to Die Prematurely
Ignoring the advice and recommendations of its own Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, the American Lung Association, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, and others, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) adopted limits on fine particle pollution that threaten tens of thousands with premature death.
Fine particles are 1/28 the size of a human hair, small enough to fall to the bottom of our lungs and even be absorbed by our bloodstream. They're released by smokestacks, tailpipes, and even dust from dirt roads. Those most at risk from fine particle pollution are children, seniors, those with asthma, those with emphysema, and those with heart disease. As many as 64,000 people die prematurely every year from fine particle pollution. The EPA's decision to play politics with clean air puts Rocky Mountain communities at great risk. Rocky Mountain Clean Air Action is working to reduce fine particle pollution from smokestacks and tailpipes throughout the region, and has called upon the EPA to listen to science and protect clean air.
Board Member Profile: Meet Lauren McCain!
Lauren McCain is one of Rocky Mountain Clean Air Action's five founding board members.
A committed and compassionate activist, Lauren is an advocate for the prairie, a wildlife photographer, one of the founding board members of Southern Plains Land Trust, and one the board of directors of the Prairie Dog Coalition. She's worked with the International Rivers Network, Rocky Mountain Animal Defense, and the Center for Science, Policy, and Ou
tcomes. She earned her Ph.D. in 2003 in political science from the University of Colorado and now works as the Desert and Grasslands Program Coordinator for Forest Guardians, a Santa Fe-based group working to protect wildlife in the southwest.
Although Lauren's work focuses on wildlife, there is an overlap with clean air. As Lauren has said, "Air pollution is a serious threat to wildlife. Acid rain, mercury contamination, and global warming threaten animals as much as people. Whether it's asthma or declining burrowing owls, it all comes back to air pollution." Lauren's husband, Rich Reading, also suffers from asthma, which is made worse by ozone pollution in Denver. Lauren brings a wealth of experience and Rocky Mountain Clean Air Action is grateful for her advice, support, and dedication to protecting a healthy environment for people and animals.
What Else is New(s)?
Join Rocky Mountain Clean Air Action!
Rocky Mountain Clean Air Action needs your support, you can join online today! Founded last year, Rocky Mountain Clean Air Action has aggressively stood up for our right to breathe clean air. Our overarching goal is simple: close the net on polluters, achieve decreases in air pollution, and protect our children and communities. The results have been astounding.
Yet our successes can only continue with the support of members. A donation of $35 or more is what we're asking to become a member of Rocky Mountain Clean Air Action. Click here to join online in seconds, or you can send a check to the address below. Rocky Mountain Clean Air Action is fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so all donations are tax deductible.
If you've already become a member, thank you so much for your support! Because of your membership donations to date, we've been able to pay for office space for two months, work to reduce smog in Colorado, eliminate loopholes in Colorado air quality laws, empower local communities to challenge polluters, and pay our phone bill. Our work is not done, though. If you haven't joined, we need your support to sustain our efforts to protect clean air now and into the future.
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