The way Colorado regulates the identification and capture of methane gas at the state's 50,000 oil and gas drilling sites will be the focus of public hearings beginning Wednesday before the Air Quality Control Commission meeting at the Aurora Municipal Building.
In addition to the public, the meetings will allow representatives of industry, government and environmental groups the opportunity to speak. Proposed rules are being supported by three large oil companies, Noble Energy, Encana and Anadarko; the Environmental Defense Fund; the governor; and health officials.. Some say the new rules are not strong enough, while industry groups representing smaller energy companies believe the proposed rules are too burdensome. Annual cost estimates for compliance range from $40 million predicted by the state to $100 million predicted by the Colorado Petroleum Association.
If adopted, it is believed the proposed rules would be the nation's first statewide regulation on emissions from methane. There is little doubt that new rules should be adopted after they receive further public scrutiny and any needed changes are adopted.
In recent decades, Coloradans have seen a lot of air pollution, especially in the Denver metropolitan area. While significant progress has been made in reducing air pollution, some parts of the state have not met federal ozone requirements for four years. Officials predict the rules would cut more than a third of the state's air pollution from volatile organic compounds. Remarkably, this amounts to 92,000 tons a year.
Air pollution from methane gas is invisible but it can take a large toll on public health. The oil and gas industry represents a key part of modern society and key component of economic vitality. The process of hydraulic fracturing or fracking, to find underground energy resources will continue to be controversial, primarily in more populated areas. But by working together problems can be addressed