Smog Reduction Hearing This Friday and Saturday

The Colorado Air Quality Control Commission is slated to hear, and hopefully adopt, a proposed rule that would further reduce smog in the Denver metro area. A hearing is scheduled for this Friday and Saturday. Smog is linked to asthma, reduced birthweight, wheezing among infants and children, and increased emergency room visits.

Children with asthma are especially at risk from smog pollution in Denver.

While smog reduction in Denver is a no-brainer, the oil and gas industry has seen fit to oppose efforts to reduce smog pollution. True, the state's proposed rule would reduce emissions of smog forming compounds from condensate tanks that emit 11 tons/year or more by 95%. Condensate tanks collect liquid hydrocarbons produced during oil and gas production. They spew out smog forming compounds, including benzene, toluene, and other toxic air pollutants. The state's proposal to require pollution from reductions is well-placed, however.

Under current rules, uncontrolled smog forming compound emissions from tanks (also known as flash emissions) were projected to be 146.1 tons/day in 2007, with controlled emissions projected to be 91.3 tons/day. Yet according to emissions inventory, as of 2004, uncontrolled emissions had already reached 176 tons/day and controlled emissions had reached 150 tons/day—almost 65% more than projected. It's now projected that uncontrolled emissions will reach 236.4 tons/day by 2007. Even if projected 2007 flash emissions were controlled by 47.5%, this would amount to a pollution rate of 112 tons/day, over 20 tons/day higher than the 91.3 ton/day projection.

What's more, the state's current proposal is truly modest. According to the state, 2,246 tanks in the Denver metro area release 11 tons of VOCs/year or more and will be required to reduce emissions. This represents only 44% of the 5,012 tanks that now operate in the Denver area. Of these tanks batteries, 1,132—over half—already have controls installed and are reducing pollution by 95% or more.

Rocky Mountain Clean Air Action will be urging the Air Quality Control Commission to adopt the proposed smog reductions. If not, Denver faces the prospect of being designated a "nonattainment area," which in essence declares that Denver's air is unhealthy and polluted. Is this really what Denver wants? We hope not.