New ozone plan divides officials, activists
By Todd Hartman, Rocky Mountain News
Published December 16, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.
A new plan to control ozone pollution has drawn criticism from activists who say it doesn't go far enough, but state officials are calling it a significant step in the difficult work of controlling emissions.
The new plan, which still must win approval from the legislature and the Environmental Protection Agency, calls for more emissions cuts from oil and gas operations northeast of Denver, tougher tailpipe tests for cars in Denver and the reintroduction of auto pollution tests in heavily populated parts of Weld and Larimer counties.
The plan also asks the agency to require cleaner-burning summertime gasoline in Weld and Larimer and requires more facilities to obtain air pollution permits from the state.
The plan, approved by the state's air quality control commission late last week, was "an important and substantial" step toward eventually driving ozone levels within tough new health limits established by the federal government earlier this year, said Paul Tourangeau of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
But, he acknowledged, "there is still a lot of work in front of us" as regulators begin looking for further ways to cut ozone-forming emissions to meet an EPA deadline for still cleaner air.
Anti-pollution activist Jeremy Nichols of WildEarth Guardians complained that the plan weakened an earlier blueprint laid out by regulators and suggested that public health advocates may mount a legal challenge.
Air quality commissioners, he said, backed off emissions-control demands for the oil and gas industry. Even so, the plan does toughen existing requirements on energy companies, forcing more pollution cuts from storage tanks and other steps.
An official with Anadarko Petroleum Corp., a major oil and gas producer in the DJ Basin northeast of Denver, praised the work of the air quality commissioners and said industry wants to do its part to cut ozone levels.
Phil Schlagel, air quality manager for Anadarko, said the company has already reduced emissions significantly.
hartmant@rockymountainnews.com or 303-954-5048
Featured
-
DNC in Denver
Complete coverage of the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
-
The Crevasse
A five-part series that examines one tragic day on Mount Rainier.
-
Deadly denial
Sick nuclear workers applied for government compensation but most haven't seen a dime.
-
Final Salute
The Rocky followed Maj. Steve Beck as he took on the most difficult duty of his career.
-
'Colorado's burning'
Coverage of the state's worst wildfires.
-
Columbine shootings
Coverage of the April 20, 1999, shootings at Littleton's Columbine High School.
-
The Crossing
Colorado's deadliest traffic accident killed 20 children on Dec. 14, 1961.
-
Osveli's journey
Osveli Sales left Guatemala for a better life. Two months later, he came home in a box.
-
Wake for an Indian warrior
Oglala Sioux bestow a tribute to the first tribal fatality in Iraq.
