colorado
Newsletter
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Colorado lawmakers push EPA to review Utah oil facility pollution permits
Two Colorado legislators are urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to scrutinize pollution permits for Utah oil transport facilities, fearing expansions could harm residents and wildlife across state lines.
In short:
- Colorado Senator Michael Bennet and Representative Joe Neguse have asked the EPA to examine pollution permits for three Utah oil transport facilities.
- The lawmakers expressed concern about potential oil spills impacting the Colorado River, a critical water source for 40 million people and 30 tribal nations.
- They also questioned the effectiveness and enforcement of emission control measures in the permit applications.
Key quote:
“A train derailment that spills oil in the Colorado River’s headwaters would be disastrous to our state’s water supplies, wildlife habitat, and outdoor recreation assets.”
— Sen. Michael Bennet (D) and Rep. Joe Neguse (D)
Why this matters:
The expansion of these facilities could significantly increase the risk of environmental damage from oil spills, threatening water resources and ecosystems across multiple states. Residents in both states have expressed fears about the potential for increased pollution, highlighting the need for a regional approach to environmental management.
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Colorado's clean energy claims face scrutiny over emissions data
Colorado's oil and gas industry claims to produce some of the cleanest hydrocarbons in the world, but questions remain about the validity of these assertions and their impact on local communities.
In short:
- Colorado's oil and gas industry asserts it exceeds greenhouse gas reduction goals, but data verification is challenging.
- Environmentalists argue that despite emission reductions, oil and gas production still significantly impacts air quality and public health.
- Critics highlight the industry's influence in legislative decisions, pushing back against measures to phase out fossil fuel drilling.
Key quote:
“What we need is a transformation to a clean energy system — it’s not enough to make fossil fuel production marginally less polluting.”
— Kathy Mulvey, climate accountability campaign director, Union of Concerned Scientists
Why this matters:
Colorado's hydrocarbon production boasts a relatively lower carbon footprint compared to global standards. Critics remain unconvinced, however. Environmental advocates and community activists point to potential gaps in regulatory enforcement and the real-world effectiveness of touted technologies. Concerns about air quality, water contamination, and the overall health impact on nearby communities persist. Residents in areas close to drilling sites report a higher incidence of respiratory issues and other health problems, sparking debates about the true cost of Colorado's hydrocarbon production.
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Credit: Ambient Ideas LLC/Big Stock Photo
Colorado Senate dismisses a proposal to halt new oil and gas projects by 2030
A bid to end oil and gas drilling by 2030 fails after a marathon session in Colorado's Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee
In short:
- Despite amendments to soften its impact, Senate Bill 24-159, aimed at ceasing new oil and gas permits by 2030, was voted down by Colorado senators.
- The bill faced strong opposition from both the oil and gas industry and some environmental groups, casting doubt on its viability.
- The proposed legislation sought to reconcile Colorado's aggressive clean energy goals with its flourishing fossil fuel production but was criticized for potential economic and educational funding impacts.
Key quote:
"We get the pollution, and the oil and gas corporations get the profit."
— Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis, a sponsor of SB-159
Why this matters:
New oil and gas permits raise concerns among environmental advocates and community members about the potential consequences for air and water quality, as well as the exacerbation of climate change. With the surge in permit approvals, questions arise regarding their impact on Colorado's emission targets and commitments to combatting global warming.
In 2022, Colorado became the first state to ban the use of PFAS in the extraction of oil and gas.
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Photo by Albert Hyseni on Unsplash
Environmental groups want EPA to block state permit for western Colorado coal mine
The EPA was asked to intervene in state air-quality regulators’ decision to issue a permit to Colorado’s largest remaining coal mine.
Colorado oil and gas regulators mull rule to address 'cumulative impacts' on climate, air quality
The rules aim to address large-scale “impacts on air quality, water quality, the climate, noise, odor, wildlife, and biological resources.”
How microgrids could help Colorado mountain towns in the winter
San Miguel Power sees community-sized solar grids as a way for small mountain towns to keep the lights burning through storms and avalanches.
Credit: John R Perry/Pixabay
Colorado's move against ozone pollution
Colorado's latest regulations to curb ozone pollution from the oil and gas industry are drawing mixed reactions, with some praising the effort and others arguing it falls short.
In short:
- Colorado's Air Quality Control Commission has approved new rules requiring the oil and gas industry to reduce nitrogen oxides emissions, a major contributor to smog.
- Critics, including environmental groups, argue these measures are insufficient for meeting federal air quality standards and fail to adequately protect highly polluted communities.
- The regulations are part of Colorado's state implementation plan, mandated by federal law, to align with the Environmental Protection Agency's air quality goals.
Key quote:
"We have to work extra hard to reduce ozone pollution because of the state’s topography, but we are up to the task."
— Michael Ogletree, director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's Air Pollution Control Division.
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