State health officials approved a sweeping plan Sunday to reduce air pollution from oil and gas drilling, including the nation’s first statewide limit on methane emissions.
The Colorado Air Quality Control Commission approved the new rules in an 8-1 vote after a public hearing in Aurora that began Wednesday.
In addition to the limits on methane, the rules require companies operating in Colorado to install the latest valves and auto-igniters to minimize emissions of toxic gases. Companies would have to capture or control 95 percent of emissions, using vapor-recovery tanks or other technology.
Companies also would have to inspect facilities for leaks, up to once a month, depending on how many tons of pollution the facilities emit. Leaks would have to be fixed in about 15 days.
Large energy producers, including Anadarko Petroleum Corp., Encana Corp. and Noble Corp., helped craft the new rules and have backed the plan, although some industry groups said the proposal unfairly burdens small companies.
Industry officials wanted the regulations to apply only to about 20 percent of the state, but the commission decided to make the regulations apply statewide.
State officials have said it’s expected to cost the industry about $40 million a year to comply with the stricter air rules.
Gov. John Hickenlooper is expected to talk about the rules at a news conference Tuesday.
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