Contact: Mollie Michel, mmichel@momscleanairforce.org, 267-981-1648
Today, the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) adopted new rules to eliminate the practice of routine flaring and venting at new and existing wells across the state.
Routine flaring occurs when operators burn off natural gas produced from oil wells and routine venting is when the natural gas is deliberately released into the air. This unnecessary practice puts the health and futures of our children at risk. Currently, Colorado wastes nearly 4.6 billion cubic feet of natural gas annually to venting and flaring.
Thankfully, Colorado is continuing its tradition of leadership in cutting methane pollution by eliminating routine flaring and venting to protect our children and the environment. Oil and gas emissions released from venting and flaring contain methane, carbon dioxide, and other toxic air pollutants that harm public health while contributing to climate change and regional haze.
Moms Clean Air Force’s Colorado Chapter has been active throughout the rulemaking process and gave testimony at the recent public hearing on the rule.
Here is what Moms Clean Air Force’s Colorado field organizers had to say:
“At a time when Colorado is feeling the impacts of climate change through record-breaking wildfires and extreme drought, we appreciate the COGCC rulemaking that eliminates routine flaring. Preventing this wasteful and unnecessary release of methane, CO2, and other hazardous emissions will help communities like mine who live in ozone nonattainment areas. Once again, Colorado can be a leader in the nation as we reduce methane and other hazardous pollution—improving the air our children breathe and helping protect the climate they will inherit,” said Laurie Anderson, a mother of five children and Colorado field organizer for Moms Clean Air Force living in Broomfield County.
“Moms Clean Air Force’s Colorado Chapter applauds the efforts of the COGCC to eliminate the harmful practice of venting and flaring at oil and gas sites. Black, Indigenous, Latino, and People of Color (BIPOC) have been disproportionately exposed to harmful air pollution and climate change impacts because of where we live, learn, work, and play. This pollution burden continues to play out for all front range communities north of Denver that live next to the most polluted zip code in the state. We now have the added threat of pollution from proposed oil and gas wells. Polluters must be held accountable so communities living near oil and gas wells can breathe easier and ensure the next seven generations have a safe place to call home,” said Shaina Oliver, Field Organizer, Moms Clean Air Force Colorado Chapter.
Additional Background:
Colorado has a duty to reduce greenhouse gas pollution statewide and to have concrete policies that will protect communities of color and low-income people from the disproportionate impacts of climate change to ensure a just, equitable transition to a clean Colorado.
Colorado has failed to carry out its duty to propose implementing regulations by July 1, 2020. Moms Clean Air Force urges Colorado to move forward swiftly with climate pollution reductions to clean up the air to protect children’s health and their futures.