Responding to U.S. EPA’s December 16 announcement that it will reclassify the non-ozone attainment area in Colorado as “serious,” the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) is assuring the public that it’s on the case. The redesignation means that any facility that pollutes 50 tons per year will be classified as a “major source” and subject to greater regulations.
The state is already acting boldly to reduce ozone pollution in Colorado:
- This week, the state begins phase I of rulemaking on the new oil and gas law. Phase I strategies include closing the 90-day permitting gap during exploration and drilling while also tightening controls on tanks, transmission lines, and other sources of emissions.
- During the upcoming legislative session, the department will seek additional resources to inspect oil and gas facilities and monitor air quality throughout Colorado.
- In the summer, the state adopted a zero-emission vehicle standard that will ease the transition to electric vehicles in Colorado. The zero-emission vehicle standard addresses a chief cause of ozone pollution, fossil fuel vehicles.
- Earlier this year, the Air Quality Control Commission adopted new control technologies for breweries, and also established VOC content limits for consumer products and architectural and industrial coatings manufactured and/or sold in Colorado.
