Shortchanging Clean Air in the Rockies

Smog Forming Emissions Spew From a Tank at a Natural Gas Well

A recent report by the Environmental Integrity Project shows that the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division is losing out on nearly $3 million annually. The reason? Polluters are paying bargain fees in the state. In fact, Colorado charges polluters less than half what federal law requires. All the while, our air is getting smoggier and hazier.

This could not be more apparent when it comes to oil and gas drilling, the largest and fastest growing source of air pollution in our state.

Since 2003, the pace of oil and gas drilling has increased threefold across Colorado. Oil and gas developments spew massive amounts of air pollution, especially smog forming volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides. In the Denver metro area, we are now on the verge of violating health standards for smog because of unchecked oil and gas drilling. Since 1999, drilling has increased by over 20%.

In western Colorado, the pace of oil and gas drilling has increased by over 90% in some counties just in the last year. Oil and gas developments are now the single largest source of smog forming pollution in most western counties. Over 6,000 drilling permits were issued for Colorado in 2006, a record. By 2018, smog forming emissions are expected to more than double in the state.

Our health is on the line, yet the state charges air pollution fees that are less than half of what is required by the Clean Air Act. Currently, we charge polluters $13.54 per ton of air pollution released. The Clean Air Act requires states charge a fee of at least $39.48 per ton of pollution.

By undercharging polluters, we're now losing out on nearly $3,000,000 annually. This has led to serious shortcomings in the state’s ability to keep air pollution from oil and gas developments in check. For example, we have learned that:

• Many with the Air Pollution Control Division are leaving to work for industry because the state can’t pay enough;


• In Denver, the state lacks the resources needed to adequately inspect oil and gas developments and make sure companies are complying with smog reduction rules;


• And in western Colorado, the state has commented that it is playing “catch up” when it comes to oil and gas development. Right now: 1) They do not have the money to install smog monitors; 2) They do not have the money to conduct modeling to make sure smog will be kept in check; 3) They do not have enough money to analyze the impacts of current and future development on our clean air; and 4) They do not have enough money to fully enforce clean air laws when it comes to oil and gas development.

The state has expressed a sense of urgency when it comes to air pollution from oil and gas development. It's time to put our money where our mouth is, increase air pollution fees, and be sure that our clean air is fully safeguarded here in the Rocky Mountains. The Environmental Integrity Project report is online.