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Each month, for two hours, the Weld County Board of Commissioners and key staff attend a meeting with outside attorneys and consultants to discuss volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitric oxides (NOx), methane, ammonia, nitrogen, ozone…in short, air quality.
Weld County’s perceived air quality has been the target of aggressive legislation aimed at increasing regulation of the oil and gas industry and thereby bringing harm to Weld County’s, and consequently the state’s, economy.
And while some would have the public believe that opposition to legislation further regulating the energy industry is all about money (after all, revenue from the oil and gas industry makes up 60% of property taxes in Weld County), the fact is, Weld County is fighting not only for its economy but for its way of life; a way of life that is dependent on clean air, clean water and a long-history rooted in the ground. For as oil and gas goes, locals fear that agriculture may be next.
“The fact is, we all want clean air and water,” said Commissioner Chair Steve Moreno. “To imply otherwise is ridiculous. What isn’t brought into the conversation, however, is the fact that our air is clean. Our water is clean. And the ozone issue along the Front Range cannot be attributed solely to energy production in Weld County, as some would have you believe.”
A September 6, 2019, Denver Post article quoted Weld County Commissioner Scott James, “’We’ve improved our air…’ referring to air testing that showed ozone around 65 parts per billion in Weld County, down from 82 parts per billion in 2006.”
So why does the conversation about air quality continue to paint energy production in Weld County in a bad light?
“It comes down to who is driving the narrative,” said Commissioner Perry Buck. “For years, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment was the primary entity capturing air quality data through its various towers located along the Front Range.”
In fact, in November of 2019, Weld County Commissioners offered to help support additional air quality monitoring projects so that data-based decisions could be made regarding industry regulation. The state’s response to that offer? Thanks, but no thanks.
“The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) appreciates Weld County’s offer to actively participate in the planning and implementation of additional monitoring and modeling of pre-production oil and gas activities in Weld County. However, given the importance of ensuring consistency in the data-gathering methodologies at all of the oil and gas locations under consideration…we must respectfully decline your offer to combine efforts at this state…Respectfully, Jeff Robbins, Director Colorado Oil & Gas Commission and John Putnam, Director of Environmental Programs Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment,” Letter dated November 2, 2019.
Which brings us to the bi-weekly, hour-long meetings. Following the state’s polite brush off, Weld County decided to get in the air monitoring field itself.
“This topic is much too important to just sit back and wait to see what Denver decides to impose as far as regulations go,” said Commissioner Mike Freeman. “The board decided to invest in the health of its residents by purchasing three air monitoring towers, which all went online at the end of last year. These monitors, located in west Greeley, Hereford and Orchard, will begin supplying the county with data regarding ozone and ozone precursors in order for the county, and the state, to better learn what is coming into the county from other sources and what is emitting from Weld."
“Local governments are contracted by the CDPHE’s Air Pollution Control Division to assist the state’s air quality monitors but are not required to conduct their own localized monitoring," said Dani Serna, Environmental Health Specialist with the county’s department of Public Health and Environment. “However, in the pursuance of the overall goal of improving air quality for the public as well as obtaining actual (real-time) localized air quality data, the Weld County Board of Commissioners approved and successfully completed the installation of three new air quality monitors throughout Weld County.
“In collaboration with the state’s efforts, the commissioners have also approved the State Air Pollution Control Division to install a VOC monitor at the county’s monitoring locations in order to gain a more accurate and precise picture of the dynamic relationships between specific air contaminants, the effects these relationships have with varying meteorological factors, and the resulting impact on local and regional air quality and air pollution.”
And while there are many factors that ultimately weigh in on the air quality discussion, including geography and wind and weather patterns, the goal of the Weld County monitors is to make sure that decisions in Denver are based on the most complete and accurate data possible.
The rules being considered by the Air Quality Control Division as well as legislation being proposed at the state level will not only impact energy now but also impact other business down the road, including, possibly, agriculture.
“Energy and ag are our two primary industries,” said Commissioner Lori Saine. “It’s our job as county government to make sure the county is protecting the health, safety and welfare of our residents, while also working to make sure our economy remains strong.”
By Jennifer Finch, Weld County Public Information Officer
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