The Colorado Air Quality Control Commission has adopted new regulations aimed at reducing air pollution from upstream oil and gas operations by 50% by 2030, using 2017 as a baseline. The measures update several air quality regulations and the State Implementation Plan to address emissions that contribute to ground-level ozone.
Michael Ogletree, senior director of state air quality programs, said, “Clean air is the foundation for a thriving and sustainable community. With these strategic actions, the state reaffirms its commitment to protecting the health of our residents and the environment for future generations to come.”
Ground-level ozone can harm lung health, especially among children, seniors, and people with respiratory conditions. Ozone forms when certain pollutants react in sunlight and heat. Major sources of these pollutants include gasoline-powered equipment, vehicles, oil and gas activities, and manufacturing facilities.
In March 2023, Colorado’s governor instructed agencies to develop rules targeting a 30% reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions from upstream oil and gas operations by 2025 and a 50% reduction by 2030 in areas not meeting national ozone standards. Following this directive, the commission updated several key regulations:
– Regulation 7 expands leak detection requirements for oil and gas operations.
– Regulation 11 broadens identification of high-emitting vehicles.
– Regulation 25 limits volatile organic compounds in aerospace coating materials.
– Regulation 26 strengthens controls on industrial emissions in northern Weld County.
These updates are included in revisions to Colorado’s State Implementation Plan, which details efforts to cut air pollution in nonattainment areas—regions that do not meet federal ozone standards. The plan also allows for further technical study to support future policy changes.
Additional administrative changes aim to keep ozone-reduction programs like vehicle emissions testing sustainable over time. Updates also bring regulatory language into alignment with current federal standards and streamline compliance processes.
The commission has also approved a proposal to voluntarily reclassify parts of northern Weld County as nonattainment under the 2015 federal ozone standard. If approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, this would allow Colorado to focus more resources on reducing emissions in those areas without additional administrative requirements.
Colorado officials say they remain committed to ongoing efforts aimed at meeting federal ozone pollution standards.
