Colorado state health department conducting new study on air ... - Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Colorado state health department conducting new study on air pollution from certain oil and gas facilities | Department of Public Health & Environment
Study will inform an innovative comprehensive permit option for these facilities
REMOTE (June 7, 2023): The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment invites public input as it studies the impacts of certain oil and gas facilities on air quality. The department’s Air Pollution Control Division will use this scientific study to create a more protective general permit for emissions from these facilities. The division is hosting two public meetings to discuss and seek input on the study, which will inform the general permit.
“Coloradans care about the air they breathe. We want to make sure everyone has a say in creating new policies that protect our air.” said Trisha Oeth, director of environmental health and protection at CDPHE. “We’re consulting a wide variety of experts as we explore creating a new general permit, including the scientific community, environmental groups, industry, and Colorado communities.”
The study and general permit will apply to the equipment that “upstream” facilities use to treat and store oil and gas after they extract it from deep in the ground. Federal and state regulations divide air pollution sources into two main categories based on their maximum potential emissions. Upstream oil and gas facilities are typically considered “minor” air pollution sources.
“We already have one of the most protective minor source programs in the country, and this study and general permit will make it even better,” said Michael Ogletree, director of the CDPHE’s Air Pollution Control Division. “Right now, we’re focused on conducting a rigorous study, and we welcome public input and expertise. We’ll use the study to inform a new general permit that will be more efficient, while also protecting public health and the environment. It’s just one of the innovative ways we’re modernizing our work.”
Upstream oil and gas facilities use standard equipment such as engines, heaters, and flares. Currently, a facility must apply for individual minor source permits for each of these pieces of equipment. The general permit would be a second, comprehensive option covering all of these pieces of equipment with one permitting action. When applying for permits, minor sources must show compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards and Colorado Ambient Air Quality Standards, as defined by Colorado Regulation 3. The division intends to draft the general permit to be even more protective of these air quality standards than the current permitting process.
The division is conducting an air dispersion modeling study to ensure the general permit emissions limits and conditions will be as protective as possible. The modeling study will analyze how different pollutants from different air pollution sources are dispersed, and determine which emissions rates and methods will keep pollution at protective levels.
The division is hosting two public meetings to provide more information and accept public input. Both meetings include options to attend in-person or virtually. Advanced registration is required. Spanish interpretation will be provided.
- June 7: 6-8 p.m.
- June 21: 6-8 p.m.
The division is accepting written public feedback online through June 30, 2023.
After the division’s experts review and incorporate public input, they will work with a consultant to conduct and publish the air dispersion modeling study. The study will be available on the division’s website. Then, the division will conduct a public input process about the results of the study. This will inform development of the draft facility-wide general permit, which will also be posted on the division’s website. This work builds upon recent actions that strengthen and enhance permit requirements for Colorado’s minor sources of air pollution, including a new application checklist and new modeling guidelines.
Stay connected:
Sign up for Air Pollution Control Division email updates.
Explore upcoming public participation opportunities related to air quality.
For general questions or comments, please email cdphe.commentsapcd@state.co.us.
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