Boulder County commissioners have expressed their support for a bill that would provide Colorado with the power they say is needed to finally tackle the state’s air pollution issues.
The Protecting Communities from Pollution Act, which is expected to be introduced later this week, the Colorado General Assembly, aims to address the ongoing air quality issues along the Front Range by requiring businesses to prove future projects wouldn’t further degrade air quality.
“Boulder County supports the efforts by the state’s legislators to protect our air and, most importantly, the health of our community,” Commissioner Claire Levy said.
For decades, the Environmental Protection Agency has reported the Front Range air quality as failing to meet national standards. Ground level ozone is a key reason why the area’s summer air quality is considered dangerous for the public’s health.
Ozone forms when nitrogen oxides and organic compounds meet sunlight, which can trigger a variety of health problems and can worsen existing lung issues. It most affects children, the elderly, those with respiratory conditions and people who work outside.
“Air quality is not only a matter of public health, but also of equity and justice,” Commissioner Marta Loachamin said, noting that low income and communities of color are most likely to be affected by air pollution. “This bill will improve the health of millions of Coloradans, especially neighbors, friends and family with respiratory illnesses and anyone whose job requires them to work outdoors.”
The Boulder County commissioners’ office said in a release that the county’s ozone problem is mainly oil and gas operations and vehicle fumes, which get trapped against the mountains. Climate change exacerbates the ozone season and ozone is itself a greenhouse gas, contributing to the warming of the planet.
The bill proposes improving the air quality permitting process by tightening controls and improving analysis for oil and gas, energy manufacturing and other industries. It also increases coordination between the Colorado Department of PUblic Health and Environment and the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission with the aim of improving air quality.
As proposed, the bill enhances the public complaint process for air quality issues and increased opportunities for public enforcement of air quality standards. It goes on to create new electrification requirements and emission standards for stationary engines used in oil and gas operations.
“The time for change is now and this new legislation makes that change possible,” Commissioner Ashley Stolzmann said. "The clock is ticking, and the summer ozone season is fast approaching. The Protecting Communities from Pollution Act is our chance to secure a healthier future for all."
Repeated violations of federal health standards led the EPA to reclassify the Front Range as a “severe” ozone violator last year, which forced the state to add policies to address this issue this summer.
