New camera reveals, documents toxic oil and gas emissions
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As oil and gas well sites pop up next to more Colorado neighborhoods, residents are gathering evidence to hold operators accountable for toxic emissions, which are invisible to the naked eye.
Bobbie Mooney, staff attorney for the advocacy group 350 Colorado, a nonprofit organizing tours and training, said using optical gas-imaging technology, everyday Coloradans can now see the single largest source of air pollution along the Front Range with their own eyes.
"We've been in violation of federal health-based standards for over a decade," Mooney pointed out. "Despite a lot of talk and efforts to change rules and regulations, unfortunately we have not seen an improvement in air quality here."
Colorado is the nation's fourth-largest oil and gas producer, and there are currently more than 46,000 active wells, up 25 percent since 2009, largely due to expanded fracking operations. The Trump administration would like to see the number go up and has promised to roll back regulations in order to achieve its goal of energy dominance.
The American Lung Association's latest State of the Air Report Card gave Colorado's Front Range an "F" for poor air quality due to ground-level ozone and particle pollution.
Mooney noted toxic emissions from oil and gas sites such as benzine pose serious threats to human health at every stage of life.
"Regulations are really the only line of defense that Coloradans have to protect our health and safety from the impacts of oil and gas extraction," Mooney emphasized. "Everything from air pollution to water consumption to habitat destruction."
To get the optical gas imaging camera into the hands of more communities, 350 Colorado has partnered with Earthworks. Mooney added tour participants also get tips on how to let lawmakers know what they saw, and how to push leaders to protect their neighbors.
"We also encourage participants to write a public comment," Mooney urged. "To their local county or city, or to the state government agencies, like the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission, or the Department of Public Health and Environment that regulates air quality."
