Grand Junction Asks for Smog Monitors...Again

The Grand Junction City Council again passed a resolution asking the state of Colorado to install a network of smog monitors in Grand Junction and other parts of western Colorado.

Remember, this is the second time in four months that the City Council has made such a request. At a December 6, 2006 meeting, the Council passed a similar resolution, supporting stronger clean air rules and requesting the state install smog monitors in the city. Citizens are also part of the clamor. Last December, Rocky Mountain Clean Air Action and several others made the same request.

Why all the concern? Because increasing traffic, coupled with booming oil and gas development in Mesa County, is a recipe for unhealthy smog pollution. Unfortunately, without any monitoring data to act on, health officials are helpless when it comes to protecting citizens.

Unfortunately, the state has so far balked at the idea of smog monitors in Grand Junction. The reason? A perceived lack of money. But the perceived lack of money seems to be just that, a perception. Reality paints a different picture.

Did you know that in Wyoming, the state has required the oil and gas industry to help pay for smog monitors? It makes perfect sense. Industry is, after all, responsible for unhealthy smog pollution in western Wyoming.

The Colorado Air Pollution Control Division however, has so far shirked the idea of requiring the oil and gas industry to help pay for smog monitoring.

Making matters worse is that the state of Colorado is shortchanging our clean air. The state currently charges air pollution fees that are less than half what is required by the Clean Air Act. Colorado is losing out on nearly $3 million annually because of this.

The issue here really doesn't seem to be about money, but about whether the Air Pollution Control Division has the initiative to help the City of Grand Junction and its citizens get the smog monitors they need. For the health of the Grand Valley, hopefully the Division will pull through.