Denver Smog Reductions Delayed

Smog reductions for Denver are on hold until December 17th, at which point the Air Quality Control Commission will decide whether to adopt strong smog reductions, or a "compromise" rule that was introduced at the last minute by the Air Pollution Control Division.

The Air Pollution Control Division had originally proposed to require all condensate tanks in the Denver metro area that emit 11 tons/year or more to reduce emissions of smog forming compounds by 95%. At the 11th hour, the Division caved in to the oil and gas industry and decided to adopt what is called a "system-wide" approach, which would require a 73.3% overall reduction in smog forming pollution from condensate tanks. What's the system-wide approach?

The system-wide approach to reducing smog forming pollution works like this: a company may have 100 condensate tanks and from those tanks, that company would be required to reduce overall emissions by a certain percentage, in this case 73.3%. In practice, pollution is controlled at some tanks, while at others, no pollution is controlled. This approach allows what industry calls "flexibility," but what it really allows is no accountability.

That's because its virtually impossible for citizens, the state, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to monitor compliance. We never know which tanks are supposed to have pollution controls, where these tanks are located, and whether or not the required emission reductions are even being achieved. It's nothing more than a guessing game.

The only way a system-wide approach can be adopted is if there's a big enough cushion to account for the guessing. In other words, a 73.3% reduction just doesn't cut it. We need a higher percentage, at least 80% or more, if we're to be assured of the smog reductions we need.

And of course, with the smog reductions we need in place, our children can breathe easier next summer and be assured of a healthy future.