Denver Post Supports Stronger Ozone Controls, But Has Some Explaining To Do

The Denver Post got it right in a July 3 editorial, but has some explaining to do.

Recognizing the immense problem of rising ozone pollution in the Denver metro area, the Post stated:

"The possible wrath of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is the least of Colorado's worries - the real concern is that rising ozone levels could harm public health. High in the atmosphere, ozone protects the Earth from the sun's harmful rays, but close to the ground ozone damages human respiratory systems. Ozone is created when other air pollutants are 'cooked' by sunshine."

Exactly. This is our health that's at stake, and kudos to the Post for putting ozone pollution into the right context. The Post also voiced support for tougher controls on ozone pollution from oil and gas development in the Denver metro area. As we know, not only has booming oil and gas development released more ozone forming compounds than originally predicted, but many operators have refused to comply with existing and more-than-modest controls.

However, the Post has some explaining to do over the remainder of its editorial. The paper states:

"Of course, drilling companies should have to clean up their acts, but they're not the only ones responsible for Colorado's ozone woes. For example, older cars spew ozone-forming chemicals, so it may be worthwhile to find ways to get aging automobiles off the roads."

The Post closes its piece, stating:

"While tougher gas field rules are justified, Colorado ought to find ways to reduce ozone-causing chemicals from other sources, too."

Come on Denver Post, you're sounding a bit like the broken record that is the oil and gas industry. We can all point the fingers here, but let's get real. In taking on oil and gas development, the state is targeting the biggest (and biggest growing) source of uncontrolled ozone pollution in the Denver metro area. This is the responsible course of action. It doesn't mean the state or the EPA are turning their back on other sources of ozone forming compounds. It simply means that they're finally turning around to face the looming ozone beast that is the oil and gas industry.

But my biggest question is, what suggestions does the Denver Post have in terms of reducing ozone pollution from other sources? Getting older cars off the road? While older cars are certainly a problem, the amount of ozone forming compounds released from one natural gas compressor station annually in Weld County is equivalent to the amount of ozone forming compounds released from 90,492 automotibles each driven 12,500 miles a year. Is it any wonder the state is targeting oil and gas development?

Like the oil and gas industry, the paper seems to be pointing the finger, but not putting forth real suggestions for reducing ozone from other sources. What a shame, because there are other sources and many other options for ozone controls that the Post could have advocated for. Let's take a look at a few:

1. The state could require the installation of selective catalytic reduction controls at all Denver metro coal and gas-fired power plants to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions, which also react with sunlight to form ozone;
   
2. The state could require the installation of monitors that continuously monitor emissions of volatile organic compounds, which form ozone, from all major sources of air pollution. That way the state could get reliable estimates of emissions and take action accordingly; and
   
3. More stringent flare efficiency requirements at landfills and refineries could be required.
   

The Post got it right, but a little more explanation would have been helpful. Rather than perpetuating the finger pointing, let's start offering real solutions. As we all know, this isn't a paper exercize, our health is on the line.