On July 17th, the Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) is considering whether to grant a “request for rulemaking” for a new ozone State Implementation Plan. Half of the state’s population lives in an area designated by the EPA as at risk of health impacts from high levels of ozone. The North Front Range is above and has violated EPA’s limits since 2008.

To reduce ozone and methane emissions, Colorado can and should control oil and gas emissions with much stronger regulations than are now in place.  

Oral comments made virtually on July 17th starting at 9:00, or written comments submitted by COB on July 17th are needed to help support the request.

Pursuing this regulation, which primarily focuses on stronger ozone pollution control is important. Controlling ozone pollution helps reduce climate warming pollution. This request for rule making also specifically asks AQCC consider addressing stronger methane emissions controls, a powerful source of climate warming (see the last set of bullets in the background and comment prep information by 350 Colorado at this link –  This toolkit). If the request for rule making is eventually granted, it will start a longer process for more opportunities to get involved.