Colorado AQCC approves emissions rules for oil, gas operations

March 3, 2014
Colorado's Air Quality Control Commission approved comprehensive changes to rules governing oil and gas activities in the state, including the nation's first-ever regulations designed to detect and reduce methane emissions.

Colorado's Air Quality Control Commission approved comprehensive changes to rules governing oil and gas activities in the state, including the nation's first-ever regulations designed to detect and reduce methane emissions.

The rulings, which were issued late Feb. 23, concluded a public hearing that began Feb. 19 at the Aurora Municipal Center near Denver. Industry, environmental groups, and state and local governments participated.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's Air Pollution Control Division initiated a stakeholder process of comments and hearings more than a year ago to consider rule revisions.

The 37 pages of regulations essentially added hydrocarbons via oil and gas emissions—specifically methane and ethane—to the state's existing Regulation No. 7 controlling emissions of volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides as ozone precursors.

They also listed general provisions for the following:

• Prevention of emissions and good air pollution control practices for all oil and gas exploration and production operations, well production facilities, natural gas compressor stations, and gas processing plants.

• Air pollution equipment and control practices used to comply with these emissions prevention requirements.

• A requirement for auto igniters to be used on all combustion devices used to control hydrocarbon emissions if installed on or after May 1, or added to existing combustion devices within the following 2 years or after the next combustion shutdown, whichever comes first.

• Requirements for compressor seals and open-ended valves or lines.

• Storage tank control and monitoring requirements.

• Requirements for controls within the first 90 days of production.

• Record-keeping requirements.

• Leak detection and repair requirements.

• Venting during downhole well maintenance and liquids unloading events.

Gov. John W. Hickenlooper (D), who was in Washington attending the National Governors Association's 2014 Winter Meeting, said Colorado has again proven that collaboration and compromise help solve important issues facing the state.

"The new rules approved by Colorado's [AQCC], after taking input from varied and often conflicting interests, will ensure Colorado has the cleanest and safest oil and gas industry in the country and help preserve jobs," he said.

Air Pollution Control Division Director Will Allison noted the original proposal, presented to the commission in November 2013 and largely adopted on Feb. 23, drew support from diverse environmental and industry interests.

"Several industry leaders already implement some of the measures reflected in these rules," Allison said, adding, "Now, these protective, common-sense measures will be required of all operators across the state. We were pleased to have the input of numerous environmental, industry and government stakeholders."

After the new requirements were issued, Doug Flanders, policy and external affairs director at the Colorado Oil & Gas Association, said, "The rulemaking process demonstrated a commitment to bringing all stakeholders together. The new rules accomplish much, which we support. Unfortunately, we were not successful in ensuring that the rule accommodates the differences in basins and operators."