 |
|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, Dec. 15, 2008 |
CONTACT |
Colorado Air Quality Control Commission Approves Ozone PlanDENVER- After two days of public hearings, the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission on Friday approved the Denver Metro Area and North Front Range Ozone Action Plan. The plan, when fully implemented, is expected to reduce ozone-forming pollutants by more than 100 tons per day during the summertime ozone season and bring the area back into compliance with federal health-based standards in 2010. The Denver metro area and North Front Range currently are out of compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone set in 1997. Approval of the plan represents the culmination of a yearlong planning effort to further address ongoing issues surrounding ground-level ozone, a complicated pollutant that adversely impacts many areas of the United States. “This is an important and substantial step along the path that will lead us to compliance with federal health-based standards for ozone,” said Paul Tourangeau, director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Air Pollution Control Division. “The commission has affirmed that this is the right direction, although there still is a lot work in front of us.” The plan adopted by the commission contains a suite of pollution reduction measures developed during 2008 through an extensive public process. The Regional Air Quality Council, the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization and the division spearheaded the process, which included numerous stakeholders from the public, industry, environmental groups and local governments. Specifically, the plan requires emissions reductions through programs that inspect and maintain motor vehicles, reduces emissions from natural gas facilities by placing controls on condensate tanks and pneumatic valves, requires controls on new major air pollution sources, and requires additional controls on large industrial engines throughout Colorado. The commission also removed a variety of reporting and permitting exemptions to strengthen pollution control efforts. Consistent with the plan, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will require lower-emitting vehicle fuels currently used in central Denver to be used in the full nine-county area. The counties are Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver. Douglas, Jefferson, Larimer and Weld. “The plan continues the substantial steps taken by the commission to improve air quality for our citizens throughout Colorado,” Tourangeau said. “Last year, Gov. Bill Ritter issued a directive to the Regional Air Quality Council to propose real measures to reduce ozone levels to protect public health. This accomplishes that directive.” Ozone is a form of pollution not emitted directly into the air. Rather, it is formed in the atmosphere chemically when other pollutants such as volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides combine in the presence of sunlight. Emissions from sources as varied as industrial facilities, utilities, motor vehicles, and household paints and solvents contribute to ground-level ozone formation. Healthwise, ozone can trigger a variety of problems. It is particularly harmful to people already suffering from reduced lung function because of ailments such as asthma and emphysema. However, even healthy people who are active outdoors are at risk and susceptible to problems such as coughing, congestion, chest pains and difficulty breathing. A monitor maintained by the Air Pollution Control Division in northwest Jefferson County fell out of compliance with the 1997 standards in July 2007. It remains the only monitor in the Denver metro area and North Front Range out of compliance with the 1997 standards. Earlier this year, the EPA tightened the eight-hour ozone standards. Several monitors currently are out of compliance with the new, tougher standards, including monitors in Larimer and Weld Counties. Last year Gov. Ritter indicated the planning effort would address not only the 1997 standards, but also consider the addition of elements that would further reduce ozone levels to meet the new standards. “The struggle to comply with health-based standards for ozone is a function of those standards becoming increasingly more stringent, not from significant degradation in the quality of our air,” Tourangeau said. “It is important that all of us understand that. However, the standards are tougher for a reason. Ozone is a serious issue. These steps are necessary to protect the public health and environment. I am confident that we have placed - and will continue to place - priority upon the health of our residents and the state’s air quality.” Tourangeau continued, “This plan’s approval represents a major success. The extensive and inclusive stakeholder process that was undertaken was successful, and it helped the commission take such an important step for Colorado’s air quality. Stakeholders were included in the process, and the public had a voice in these measures. Everyone involved should be commended for the work they have done on behalf of us all.” ---30--- |
|