Colorado air pollution regulators have issued one of the Suncor refinery’s two long-delayed permit renewals, while also strengthening rules on how the company must carry out a new air monitoring law to protect neighbors. The EPA also signaled it no longer objects to the Plant 2 permit for Suncor after the state made some revisions. […]
EPA
Posted inEnvironment, News, Water
Colorado to expand probes of PFAS “forever chemicals” in biosolids from city waste
Wastewater treatment plants may have to start testing for presence of PFAS “forever chemicals” in biosolids as early as next year, and those plants may be required to investigate upstream sources of the toxic substances, Colorado regulators say. State water quality officials also said Colorado’s PFAS grant program is also open to help communities test […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Opinion: The Supreme Court has put us in a constitutional crisis and a climate crisis
The Colorado Coalition for a Livable Climate is outraged by the recent Supreme Court decision eviscerating the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to limit greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. The decision is an outright attack on Congress that shatters our checks-and-balances system of government. It signals that we are in a constitutional crisis that will […]
Posted inClimate, Energy, News
Regional board to approve ozone action plan, but a Colorado coalition wants much more done
The northern Front Range’s newest plan to meet federal ozone-reduction mandates comes with a rare upfront admission that it won’t work. The Regional Air Quality Council, a nonprofit board of experts and local officials charged with writing the state’s ozone compliance plan, will decide Friday on the latest proposals for trimming the hazardous ground-level gas. […]
Posted inNews
Lakewood residents at elevated risk of cancer cases from Terumo medical sterilization plant, EPA says
Lakewood residents are at elevated cancer danger from releases of toxic ethylene oxide by the Terumo BCT medical equipment sterilization plant in their neighborhood, according to a new assessment from the Environmental Protection Agency targeting the riskiest sites in the nation. The EPA said Wednesday it is making a new push to educate neighbors “on […]
Posted inEnvironment, News, Water
South Adams County water district is buying Denver’s water to dilute “forever chemicals”
The South Adams County Water and Sanitation District, anchored by Commerce City, will be paying Denver Water $2.75 million this year for enough supply to dilute local well water tainted by PFAS “forever chemicals” from firefighting foam runoff, officials said Tuesday. The district serves 65,000 people, and said it needs a new $130 million treatment […]
Posted inClimate, Energy, Environment, News
EPA fines Weld County gas processor $3.25 million for leaks
A Colorado natural gas processor will pay a $3.25 million fine in a settlement with federal and state air pollution officials, after allegations the company failed to detect and repair leaks that contributed to worsening ozone problems on the northern Front Range. DCP Operating Company LP and five related subsidiaries will pay the fines and […]
Posted inClimate, Environment, News
EPA agrees with air pollution whistleblowers on inspector general complaints, asks Colorado to review 11 permits
The Environmental Protection Agency agreed Thursday with many claims by Colorado air pollution division employee whistleblowers that the state was issuing permits without proper modeling or review, and recommended revision of at least 11 permits in dispute. Three Air Pollution Control Division employees filed a complaint with the EPA’s Office of Inspector General last year […]
Posted inClimate, Environment, Health, News
Environmental group sues to get EPA to crack down on Colorado’s record ozone violations
The Environmental Protection Agency unlawfully approved a weak ozone-reduction plan from Colorado regulators, and should do far more to limit oil and gas drilling and other pollution in the Denver metro area, according to a new lawsuit filed Tuesday by the Center for Biological Diversity. The lawsuit demanding the EPA reject Colorado’s state implementation plan […]
Posted inBusiness, Climate, Energy, Environment, Equity, Health, News
Colorado’s legislative efforts are not enough to solve its Front Range ozone problem
By Jim Robbins, KHN A year after health officials issued a record number of alerts for high ozone levels on Colorado’s Front Range, federal and state officials are trying to rein in the gas that can make outdoor activities a health risk. But new Colorado laws aimed at improving air quality along that urban corridor east […]