Too Many Polluters, Too Few Inspectors, Too Much Smog

A new report by the Center for American Progress and Center for Progressive Reform shows that a lack of funding for inspections and enforcement is putting millions of people are at risk from smog pollution.

In the Denver metro area, state regulators are constantly bemoaning the fact that they have inadequate resource to enforce clean air rules meant to reduce smog pollution. It's certainly a daunting task. There are over 5,000 condensate tanks in the Denver metro area, all of which spew out smog forming volatile organic compounds. The state has required reductions in smog forming pollution from these tanks, but it lacks the resources to keep track of every tank to make sure industry is following the rules. The result: Denver now suffers from exceptionally unhealty smog pollution and stands on the verge of violating federal health standards.

But the new report leaves one question unanswered: Why is industry refusing to comply with clean air laws in the first place? Really, we should not have to enforce clean air laws, nor inspect facilities to make sure industry is protecting clean air and peoples' health. Sadly, this is the reality. The state of Colorado needs more resources to enforce clean air laws especially at oil and gas developments, but accountability really lies with industry.