DENVER (Dec. 19) The Colorado Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) today voted unanimously to adopt strong new emissions rules for the oil and gas industry. 

For Western Colorado, the newly adopted rules mean that oil and gas companies will need to inspect their wells and tanks at least twice a year, depending on the size of the facility. Under the old rules, the smaller wells only needed to be inspected once in the 30-50 year lifespan of the well. The AQCC’s action to implement statewide regulations and give residents on the Western Slope the same level of protection as those living on the Front Range.

“The Air Quality Control Commission heard the concerns of citizens all across Colorado and took action today by implementing statewide regulations to cut ozone and methane emissions from the oil and gas industry,” said Rifle resident Leslie Robinson, a member of the Grand
Valley Citizens Alliance. 

The Commissioners also unanimously adopted a new rule proposed by three citizen groups that adds significant protections for homes, schools and other public areas within 1,000 feet of oil and gas operations. Adoption of the “proximity rule” means energy companies will be required to inspect for leaks and make repairs to their wells and tanks much more frequently near communities than is required with more remote facilities. 

The proximity rule was written and presented to the AQCC by Grand Junction-based Western Colorado Alliance, Garfield County-based Grand Valley Citizens Alliance, and the Front Range group LOGIC (League of Oil & Gas Impacted Coloradans). 

“Our community has worked with Western Colorado Alliance and Grand Valley Citizens Alliance for years to protect air quality on the West Slope and here in Battlement Mesa, where we’re surrounded by well pads,” said Dave Devanney of Battlement Concerned Citizens.

“We thank the Air Quality Control Commission for listening to our concerns and adopting additional leak detection and repair requirements for oil and gas facilities within 1,000 feet of our neighborhoods, schools and other public areas. Everyone living near a well will appreciate this significant and courageous action by the AQCC, as well as the new statewide rules to reduce
ozone and methane emissions,” Devanney continued.

During deliberations on the proximity rule and the new rules proposed by the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division, the Air Quality Control Commissioners noted the overwhelming number of citizens who turned out to public hearings in Rifle and Durango to demand statewide standards to cut ozone and methane emissions from oil and gas operations. A number of them said that citizen testimony shaped their thinking about the need for statewide implementation of the new rules. 

The new regulations, which will go into effect next year, include:

• Semi-annual leak detection and repair for low-producing wells statewide;
• More frequent leak detection and repair within 1,000 feet of homes, schools and other public areas; 
• Stronger tank controls for low-producing wells;
• Statewide expansion of the “find and fix” program for malfunctioning controllers and valves known as “pneumatic” devices;
• A ground-breaking performance-based standard to reduce emissions across the transmission segment of the oil and gas supply chain;
• A requirement that operators calculate and report all pollution, including methane emissions, to the state on an annual basis.

“Western Colorado Alliance thanks the Air Quality Control Commission for adopting these new regulations,” said Rodger Steen, a Routt County resident who is chairman of the Western Colorado Alliance Oil and Gas Committee. “The Alliance looks forward to playing our part in minimizing climate change and having the air quality here in Western Colorado protected from the harmful emissions of the oil and gas industry just as it is on the Front Range.”