The Environmental Defense Fund, API Colorado, and the Colorado Oil and Gas Association Respond to Air Quality Control Commission Regulation 7 Pneumatics Rule

DENVER, CO,  — Today, Colorado’s Air Quality Control Commission voted unanimously to adopt a rule that will require the state’s oil and gas producers to fully phase-in zero-emitting pneumatic controllers at oil and gas production sites across the state, making Colorado the first state in the nation to implement standards for existing oil and gas sources under the 2024 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency methane rule.

The rule adopted today requires the oil and gas industry over the next several years to swap out thousands of pneumatic controllers from well sites across Colorado. These devices — which are a significant source of oil and gas methane emissions in the state — will be designed to have zero emissions.

Today’s decision follows months of discussion and negotiation led by the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division and stakeholders from industry, the environmental community, local government, community groups and more who worked collaboratively to ensure that Colorado will again lead the nation in efforts to reduce methane emissions quickly and effectively.

“Today, state regulators, industry, and the environmental community in Colorado are again showing a perfect example of the Colorado way: diverse stakeholders working together to prevent harmful air and methane pollution. Requiring the installation of new ‘zero bleed’ devices helps protect Colorado communities, creates more Colorado jobs in the growing methane mitigation industry and provides a strong example nationwide of how diverse stakeholders can work collaboratively to address pollution problems,” said Nini Gu, Regulatory & Legislative Manager for Western States at Environmental Defense Fund.

“This compromise represents a balanced step forward, providing operators with a clearer path to compliance while continuing to drive emissions reductions that support Colorado’s ambitious environmental goals. Operators across the state have been transitioning away from natural gas-driven pneumatic controllers and implementing cleaner technologies for years, and this rule codifies that progress and ensures continued advancements in emissions reductions. Our industry remains committed to working alongside regulators and stakeholders to advance policies that safeguard both public health and the environment while supporting responsible energy development in Colorado,” said Kait Schwartz, Executive Director of API Colorado, on behalf of the Joint Industry Working Group, or JIWG, which includes API Colorado and the Colorado Oil and Gas Association.