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Air Quality Issues and Solutions in SW Colorado –
A State Perspective
Presentation to the Backyards Conference on Regional Air
Quality
September 15, 2005
Mike SilversteinColorado Air Pollution Control Division
Topics to be Discussed
Emissions Control System for the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
Air Monitoring in the Four Corners Area Particulate Matter in SW Colorado Ozone in SW Colorado Improving Visibility in SW Colorado Mercury Issues in SW Colorado Inspections/Permitting/Enforcement Activities in SW
Colorado Regional Oil and Gas Initiative Four Corners Air Quality Task Force
The smoke generated by the coal-powered locomotives has been a chief source of complaints from local residents
As a result, a plan was cooperatively developed to reduce smoke impacts from the train San Juan Basin Health Dept. The City of Durango The D&SNGR The South Durango Neighborhood Association Air Pollution Control Division
Emissions Control System for the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
As a result, a sophisticated smoke collection and wet-scrubber system was installed in 2001 on the roof of the roundhouse To collect engine smoke and sulfur dioxide
coming up through the roundhouse vents About $200,000 was spent on the controls
The control device capture efficiency is about 70%, which has improved ambient particulate matter concentrations by about 40%
Emissions Control System for the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
Air Monitoring in the Four Corners Area
Particulate Matter
There are two air quality standards for particulate matter PM10: particulates smaller than 10 microns PM2.5: particulates smaller than 2½
microns Small particles are associated with
numerous health and environmental problems Aggravates asthma, reduced lung function,
respiratory illnesses, even premature death Reduced visibility, ecosystem damage
Particulate Matter
Sources: Fire, road dust, construction, agricultural
activities, auto/truck exhaust, woodburning, power generation
Dust from unpaved roads is one of the largest sources of complaints Dust mitigation plans are required
Natural events can also cause high PM levels Wildfire and blowing dust State is required to have plans to reduce
health impacts from these events
Examples of local particulate matter reduction efforts include: Road sweeping and paving Alternative deicers replacing street
sand Anti-idling ordinances Unpaved road and land-clearing dust
mitigation plans Woodburning reduction measures Smoke management plans
Particulate Matter
Particulate concentrations are relatively low in SW Colorado
State operates monitors in Durango, Pagosa Springs and Telluride All monitors record particulate levels well
below the standards Pagosa Springs and Telluride are former
nonattainment areas that are now attaining the standards due to their proactive and comprehensive measures
Particulate Matter in SW Colorado
Four Corners Particulate Matter Data
4-Corners --- PM2.5 24-Hr. Max. & Annual Avg.
0.0
10.0
20.0
30.0
40.0
50.0
19
99
20
00
20
01
20
02
20
03
20
04
Year
ug
/m3
24-Hr. Max. - Durango-Park School, CO 24-Hr. Max. - Farmington, NM
Annual Avg. - Durango-Park School, CO Annual Avg. - Farmington, NM
PM2.5 --- Federal 24-Hour Standard = 65 ug/m3PM2.5 --- Federal Annual Average Standard = 15 ug/m3
4-Corners --- PM10 Annual Average
0.0
10.0
20.0
30.0
Year
ug
/m3
Durango-Courthouse, CO Ute-Hw y 550, COFarmington, NM Shiprock, NM
PM10 --- Federal Annual Average Standard = 50 ug/m3
4-Corners --- PM10 24-Hr. Maximum
0
50
100
150
Year
ug
/m3
Durango-Courthouse, CO Ute-Hw y 550, COFarmington, NM Shiprock, NM
PM10 --- Federal 24-Hour Standard = 150 ug/m3
Durango Particulate Matter Data
Durango --- PM10 24-Hr. Maximum
0
50
100
150
200
2501
99
0
19
91
19
92
19
93
19
94
19
94
19
96
19
97
19
98
19
99
20
00
20
01
20
02
20
03
20
04
Year
ug
/m3
Courthouse River City Hall Train Study Park School
PM10 --- Federal 24-Hour Standard = 150 ug/m3NOTE: Exceptional
event data from 1999 not included.
Durango Particulate Matter Data
Pagosa Springs Particulate Matter Data
Telluride Particulate Matter Data
Ground-level ozone triggers a variety of health problems including aggravated asthma, reduced lung capacity, and increased susceptibility to respiratory illnesses like pneumonia and bronchitis Ozone can also cause plant and ecosystem damage
Compliance with the 8-hour ozone standard: The three-year average of the 4th maximum 8-hour
ozone concentration at a monitor is below 0.085 parts per million (85 parts per billion)
Compliance with the standard does allow for concentrations exceeding 85 ppb
Ozone
Examples of ozone reduction efforts include: Mobile source emission reductions from new
vehicles Clean fuels standards Off-road engine standards Oil and gas initiatives Reductions in power plant NOx emissions Small engine emission standards Non-traditional measures, such as reduced
driving, auto maintenance, low solvent paints
Ozone
Overall ozone levels in SW Colorado are below the level of this standard, though ozone concentrations approaching or exceeding the standard do occur These occasional exceedances
present a public health challenge, and efforts underway and planned should reduce ozone concentrations
Ozone in SW Colorado
APCD is closely tracking ozone levels in the 4-corners area Ozone is a regional pollutant and all monitors in the region are
recording values below the standard• Growth must be monitored
Northern NM is under an ozone EAC, and the area is anticipated to be in attainment through 2007 and 2012
APCD is also studying the effects of ozone transport and regional ozone issues in the west Ozone and precursor transport may be important factors in
causing high localized ozone Rural ozone in a number of western sites indicated unusually
high concentrations under varying conditions suggesting transport could significantly influence measured values
Ozone in SW Colorado
8-hour Ozone --- 4th MaximumFour Corners Area
0.040
0.060
0.080
0.10019
90
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
Year
pp
m
Ute-Ignacio Ute-Hwy. 550 Mesa Verde NPBloomfield, NM Farmington, NM Canyonlands NP
thru07/31
8-hr. level of standard = 0.08 ppm
Four Corners Ozone Data
8-hour Ozone --- 3-year Avg. of 4th MaximumFour Corners Area
0.040
0.060
0.080
0.10019
92
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
Year
pp
m
Ute-Ignacio Ute-Hwy. 550 Mesa Verde NPBloomfield, NM Farmington, NM Canyonlands NP
thru07/31
Standard
Four Corners Ozone Data
Visibility
Visibility is generally described as the maximum distance that an observer can see a landscape viewed against the background sky
Visibility also refers to the clarity with which the texture, form, color, and details of the landscape can be seen
Visibility
Major sources of visibility-impairing pollutants: Combustion of fossil fuels for heat and power Other burning, such as residential woodburning,
incineration, and forest fires Emissions from industrial/commercial processes Evaporative emissions and solvent usage On-road vehicles, such as cars, trucks, buses and
motorcycles Fugitive dust from unpaved roads Off-road vehicles, such as aircraft, boats,
locomotives, farm equipment, construction machinery and lawn mowers
Improving Visibility
EPA has developed regulations that States must comply with for reducing the impacts of regional haze and improving visibility in Class I areas Regional haze is the term used to describe visibility
impairment that results from air pollutant emissions from numerous sources, not just from emissions from a single source or small group of sources
Class I areas are those specified by the Clean Air Act as deserving special protection from visibility impairment
Colorado’s Class I Areas
Plans are under development to improve visibility in Colorado’s Class I areas by 2018 This plan will include both State and regional
emission reduction measures It is likely that many emission sources that impact
visibility in SW Colorado are located in surrounding states• Many upwind sources are reducing emissions• APCD will be working with these states to ensure
that the appropriate emission reductions occur and that visibility will improve as required by federal regulation
The ultimate goal is to achieve natural conditions by the year 2064
Improving Visibility in SW Colorado
Mesa Verde Visibility Information
Weminuche WildernessVisibility Information
(same for La Garita Wilderness
Mercury Issues
Mercury is a naturally occurring metal, released into the environment from natural and human activities
Due to its toxicity, mercury remains among the highest priority toxics for reduction and elimination efforts
Human sources include: Power generation from coal, steel
production using mercury-containing scrap, uncontrolled run-off from historical mining sites
CDPHE is actively addressing mercury emissions and impacts in SW Colorado Primary efforts include supporting the air
deposition research being conducted around two known mercury-impacted water bodies• McPhee and Narranguinnep Reservoirs, both near
Dolores, have fish advisories due to mercury An investigation of mercury deposition at
Sanchez Reservoir (located in the San Luis Valley) is in the planning stages
Mercury Issues in SW Colorado
The Division continues to support the Mercury Deposition Network (MDN) activities at Mesa Verde, the site of one of the two Colorado-based MDN sites (the other is Buffalo Pass, near Steamboat Springs) APCD contributes about $12,000 each
year Historically, Mesa Verde has shown some
of the highest concentrations of mercury deposition in the country
Mercury Issues in SW Colorado
Inspections/Permitting/Enforcement Activities
Air Division activities include: Evaluating and developing air permits for sources Inspecting sources to determine compliance with air
regulations and permit conditions Maintaining an inventory of air pollution emissions Controlling open burning, dust emission, and the use
of ozone-depleting compounds (chlorofluorocarbons) Regulating asbestos removal and demolition
activities, reviews school asbestos management plans
Implementing a wood stove program to ensure that stringent emission standards are met
Developing regulations to ensure that Colorado meets clean air goals and federal requirements
Inspections/Permitting/Enforcement Activities in SW
Colorado There are many sources that require
permits and periodic inspection San Juan County - 0 sources Montezuma County - 3 major sources, 1 synthetic
minor source, 39 minor sources Archuleta County - 0 major sources, 1 synthetic
minor source, 15 minor sources La Plata County - 0 major sources, 10 synthetic
minor sources, 76 minor sources There are also many sources on Indian lands
However, the APCD does not permit, inspect or take enforcement action on them
Some of these sources are covered by EPA
The Division has performed 20 inspections in the region during 2005
The Division has also taken one enforcement action this year One enforcement case settled in the area
during 2004 resulted in Montezuma County receiving $37,974 to conduct a household hazardous waste collection and disposal project
Inspections/Permitting/Enforcement Activities in SW
Colorado
Regional Oil and Gas Initiative
Oil and gas exploration and production is rapidly expanding throughout Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Region
Although air programs are in place, cumulative air impacts from oil and gas operations have been documented and will worsen as development expands Traditional regulatory and enforcement options
may not be sufficient to address the air quality impacts from expected development
Regional Oil and Gas Initiative
Local Air Quality Issues Piceance Basin
• 2003 modeled NOx NAAQS violation based on current NOx emission data
• 23% increase in drilling activity from 2003 to 2004
San Juan Basin• ~500 wells in Colorado• 11,000 new wells in Basin• Cumulative impacts from all emissions,
including oil and gas, are predicted to exceed visibility thresholds at Mesa Verde Nat’l Park & Weminuche Wilderness Class I Areas
Intent of the Oil and Gas Initiative Get ahead of potential air quality impacts Support oil and gas development Encourage emissions reductions through
energy efficiency and resource capture through non-traditional solutions
Regional Oil and Gas Initiative
The ultimate goal is to develop and implement a productive and efficient program to decrease environmental impacts while maintaining the pace of development by: Building consensus with other States on
overarching goals of a program Identifying options to achieve these goals Collaborating with industry on
implementation of options
Regional Oil and Gas Initiative
The initiative will result in: Streamlined agency and industry
interactions The establishment of requirements for
future development The establishment of requirements for air
monitoring The establishment of requirements for
existing sources
Regional Oil and Gas Initiative
Four Corners Air Quality Task Force
The Four Corners region is rich in oil and gas reserves and coal
Oil and gas production and coal-fired power plants result in large emissions of air pollution that may be degrading air quality The Environmental Impact Statement drafted for the
Northern San Juan Basin Coal Bed Methane Project identified air quality impacts as a possible environmental effect of increased oil and gas production in the region
Additionally, there are two proposed coal-fired power plants in the region: a 1,500 megawatt plant proposed on Navajo Nation lands and a 300 megawatt plant proposed north of Grants, New Mexico
These factors, plus population growth in coming years, may result in significant impacts upon air quality in the region
Four Corners Air Quality Task Force
The Four Corners Air Quality Task Force is being established to study air quality issues associated with present day and future anticipated air pollutant emissions in the Four Corners region States, Tribes and federal regulators and land
managers in the region have come together to comprehensively evaluate the impact of future development upon air quality
The Task Force will be open to all interested parties
Task Force activities begin on November 2nd in Farmington
Four Corners Air Quality Task Force
The Task Force will address the following problems and issues Mitigation of visibility impacts to Class I areas in
the region to meet future regional haze goals Prevention of the degradation of air quality in
Class I and Class II areas• Including the deposition of acids, nitrogen and
mercury The need to ensure that the federal and state air
quality standards are and will continue to be met Finalize all task force activities by the end of
2007
Information on the WEB
This presentation, Four Corners Air Quality Task Force information and other air quality information can be found at:
www.cdphe.state.co.us/ap/aphom.asp
