Colorado Oil & Gas Association and API Colorado respond to Colorado Air Quality Control Commission Adoption of Revisions to Regulation Number 3
DENVER, CO-
Today, the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) voted to approve new regulations to provide enhanced air monitoring and modeling requirements in disproportionately impacted communities. The new regulations seek to address past and ongoing air quality issues and come in the wake of the 2021 passage of House Bill 1266.
“We are appreciative of the way CDPHE handled the process, but these additional monitoring and modeling requirements will be yet another hurdle to efficient permitting for all Colorado businesses,” said Dan Haley, President and CEO of the Colorado Oil & Gas Association. “Our members are committed to working with state agencies and disproportionately impact communities to meet these new standards. Ultimately, the changes are a step toward improving air quality for those most disadvantaged in our communities. We want to thank the staff at the Air Pollution Control Division who worked hard to tackle these difficult issues.”
“The commission’s vote underscores Colorado’s commitment to protecting disproportionately impacted communities, and the adoption of these new regulations will only enhance those efforts,” said Kait Schwartz, Director of API Colorado. “We likewise applaud the commission’s thoughtfulness and nuance on the subject, as it is as complex as it is consequential. It would be inappropriate for the state not to collect high-quality data and analyze it appropriately before pursuing policies so encompassing, and we were disappointed that some parties in this rulemaking sought to circumvent science in pursuit of radical, politically motivated goals. As we move forward, Colorado’s natural gas and oil industry will continue to view this issue through the lens of equity and will remain closely engaged in these processes.”
“Our industry supports disproportionately impacted communities across our state and we’re proud of the significant contributions our members have made to invest in local communities and
organizations that represent the neighborhoods where we live and operate,” continued Haley. “The women and men who work in our industry are proud Coloradans, who work hard every day to not just give back, but to fiercely protect public health, the environment and our fellow Coloradans.”
About COGA:
Founded in 1984, the Colorado Oil & Gas Association’s (COGA) mission is to foster and promote the beneficial, efficient, responsible and environmentally sound development, production and use of Colorado oil and natural gas. COGA is a nationally recognized trade association that aggressively promotes the expansion of Rocky Mountain natural gas markets, supply, and transportation infrastructure through its growing and diverse membership.
About API Colorado:
API Colorado is a division of the American Petroleum Institute, which represents all facets of the natural gas and oil industry. Our nearly 600 members produce, process and distribute the majority of the nation’s energy, and participate in API Energy Excellence®, which is accelerating environmental and safety progress by fostering new technologies and transparent reporting. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization and has developed more than 700 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability.
To learn more about API and the value of oil and natural gas, please visit API.org.
