Colorado General AssemblyToggle Main Menu
Agency NameToggle Agency Menu

I_LICOAQ_2023A 10/13/2023 09:08:36 AM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
INTERIM COMMITTEE  LEGISLATIVE INTERIM COMMITTEE ON OZONE AIR QUALITY
Date 10/13/2023
Attendance
Evans X
Froelich X
Hansen X
Kirkmeyer X
Pelton B. X
Priola X
Velasco *
Willford X
Wilson X
Winter F. X
Cutter X
Bacon X
Time 09:08:36 AM to 03:37:00 PM
Place Old State Library
This Meeting was called to order by Bacon
This Report was prepared by Nina Forbes
Hearing Items Action Taken
Opening Remarks Committee Discussion Only
Local Government Panel 1 Committee Discussion Only
Local Government Panel 2 Committee Discussion Only
EVRAZ North America/ Rocky Mountain Steel Presentation Committee Discussion Only
United Steelworkers Presentation Committee Discussion Only
Regional Air Quality Council Presentation Committee Discussion Only
Weld County Presentation on Air Quality Monitoring Committee Discussion Only
Colorado Oil and Gas Association/ American Petroleum Institute Presentation Committee Discussion Only
Weld County Presentation on Ozone Control Strategies Committee Discussion Only
Colorado Fiscal Institute Presentation Committee Discussion Only
Public Testimony on Industry and Local Government Impact Committee Discussion Only

Opening Remarks - Committee Discussion Only
09:08:48 AM  
Chair Bacon gave opening remarks.



Local Government Panel 1 - Committee Discussion Only
09:11:38 AM  
Jacob Smith, Executive
Director of Colorado Communities for Climate Action (CC4CA), introduced
himself and began his presentation. Mr. Smith's slides are included as
Attachment A. Mr. Smith went over the health impact of ozone. Northglenn
City Councilor  Katherine Goff, President of CC4CA introduced herself
and discussed the dangers of ozone and climate change. Commerce City Councilwoman
Renee M. Chacon introduced herself and discussed the impacts of ozone pollution
on Commerce City. Lafayette Councilmember Tim Barnes introduced himself
and explained Lafayette's climate action plan and how the situation could
improve. Cassie Archuleta, Lead Air Quality Specialist for the City of
Fort Collins, introduced herself and began her presentation on transparency
and enforcement. Ms. Archuleta's presentation is included as Attachment
B.  
09:43:30 AM  
The panel answered
questions from the committee on cumulative impacts and the work of the
environmental justice task force. The panel answered additional questions
on SIP modelling,  modelling the impact on specific communities, and
the transition away from gas-powered lawn equipment and converting fleet
vehicles to electric. The panel also received a question on the capacity
around data monitoring, which will be answered via email.  



Local Government Panel 2 - Committee Discussion Only
09:57:56 AM  

Cindy Copeland, Air & Climate Policy Advisor for Boulder County introduced herself and began her presentation, which is included as Attachment C. Ms. Copeland presented on air quality monitoring. Jane Turner, Air Quality & Oil and Gas Program Manager, City of Longmont, presented on Longmont's air quality monitoring program. David Frank, Energy & Environment Program Specialist, Town of Erie, introduced himself and explained the ozone situation in Erie and their monitoring strategies. Meagan Weisner, Senior Environmental Epidemiologist, City and County of Brookfield, introduced herself and presented on Broomfield's air quality monitoring and ozone impact.
10:39:11 AM  
The panel answered questions from the committee on the costs and budget of air quality monitoring; the differences in data between local governments, state entities, and national entities.



EVRAZ North America/ Rocky Mountain Steel Presentation - Committee Discussion Only
10:47:22 AM  
Annie Stefanec, Director
of Government Affairs and Communications for EVRAZ North America, introduced
herself and began her presentation, which is included as Attachment D.
Ms. Stefanic discussed EVRAZ's "green steel" and community partnerships.
Adam Devoe, Environmental Attorney, introduced himself and discussed the
electrification of the facility and discussed how Pueblo and Southern Colorado
are in attainment for NAQs and ozone standards. Mr. DeVoe discussed the
potential unintended consequences on manufacturers in parts of the state
that do not have local air quality problems and regulatory burden.  
11:06:10 AM  
Mr. DeVoe and Ms.
Stefanec answered questions on the regulation of industry and the financial
and competitiveness impact of regulationss, protecting industries in the
state, issues around compliance between state and federal regulations,
and how much the new solar field is contributing towards operations. Mr.
DeVoe answered questions about which industries he represents and which
industries (steel and cement) are the most regulated under Clean Air Act.
Ms. Stefanic answered questions about steel going into green energy projects
and partnering with energy companies to make sure those markets are made
with clean steel.  



United Steelworkers Presentation - Committee Discussion Only
11:18:07 AM  
Charles Perko, President
of the United Steelworkers (USW) Local 3267, introduced himself and began
his presentation, which is included as Attachment E. Mike Adams, USW District
12 Staff Representative, Rod Crow, VP ISW Local 12-477, and Mr. Hernandez,
Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees, introduced themselves as
well. Mr. Perko summarized who USW members are and their collective bargaining
and public policy work. Mr. Perko discussed why the members typically come
out against a lot of environmental legislation.



Regional Air Quality Council Presentation - Committee Discussion Only
11:45:09 AM  
The committee took a brief recess.
11:56:50 AM  
The committee came back to order.
11:56:59 AM  
Mike Foote, Chair
of the Board of the Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC), introduced himself
as well as his colleagues: Mike Silverstein and Alicia Johnson. RAQC's
presentation is included as Attachment F. Mr. Foote gave some opening remarks
and perspectives. Ms. Johnson introduced herself and explained her local
perspective. Mr. Silverstein went over the RAQC's role and formation as
a non-profit advisory organization, how the RAQC is funded, how the Denver
metro area has performed in past years, how it performed this year, estimate
of emissions by source category, general contribution to front range summertime
ozone concentrations, 2008 ozone standard severe SIP planning milestones,
2017 ozone standard (70ppb) serious SIP planning milestones.  Mr.
Silverstein went over the 2026 ozone projections for 75ppb SIP, RAQC emission
control strategy assessments, additional components not included in modelling,
lawn and garden equipment emissions and next steps, and incentives to assist
with compliance. He discussed the $7M funding request from the RAQC to
the legislature to further their incentive programs. Finally, Mr. Silverstein
went over the RAQC perspectives on issues brought up to the committee in
previous meetings.    
12:40:54 PM  
Mr. Silverstein answered
questions from the committee about trends in emissions, data sources, what
"general contribution" means. He also answered questions about
other options for reducing emissions and on pinpointing the concentrations
of sources of ozone.  



Weld County Presentation on Air Quality Monitoring - Committee Discussion Only
01:00:17 PM  
Dr. Annareli Morales,
Environmental and Health Specialist with Weld County, introduced herself
and began her presentation on air quality monitoring in Weld County. The
presentation is included as Attachment G. Dr. Morales discussed the locations
of Weld County's three monitors, its plan to get its monitors included
in NAAQS assessment, and submit to EPA and CDPHE.  
01:06:31 PM  
Dr. Morales answered questions about being included in the ozone network and where they are at in the process. Dr. Morales answered additional questions about EPA compliance of the monitors. She answered additional questions about possible reductions or oil and gas drilling.
01:10:41 PM  
The committee took a brief recess.
01:11:08 PM  
The committee came back to order.



Colorado Oil and Gas Association/ American Petroleum Institute Presentation - Committee Discussion Only
01:28:05 PM  
Dan Haley, CEO of
the Colorado Oil & Gas Association (COGA), presented to the committee
about the oil and gas industry. COGA's presentation is included as Attachment
H.
01:36:31 PM  
Kait Schwartz, Director
of the American Petroleum Institute Colorado (API Colorado), presented
on regulatory activities.
01:39:53 PM  
Christy Woodward,
Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs for COGA, presented on the permitting
process. Ms. Woodward referenced the handout, which is included as Attachment
I.
01:59:46 PM  
Jennifer Biever,
Director, Williams Weese Pepple & Ferguson, External Counsel to API
Colorado, presented on permitting, modeling determination, dispersion modeling,
permit application, overview of permitting process, vertical facility design
versus multi-stage separation design versus newest generation (bulk separator),
production equipment regulations for equipment at facilities, preproduction
and other regulation.
02:11:58 PM  
Ms. Woodward explained
the difference between modeling and monitoring, electrification in the
oil and gas industry and GHG roadmap from Governor's office, and the "Electricity
Maps" app and how it can show how cold snaps impact our grid. Ms.
Woodward gave closing remarks.  
02:20:49 PM  
Ms. Schwartz responded
to questions about meeting federal attainments standards, other contributors
to ozone than oil and gas, and quality assurance behind the data. Dr. Tammy
McMullin, Toxicologist at CTEH, answered questions about ozone and health
effects. Ms. Schwartz and Mr. Haley answered additional questions from
the committee about oil prices and investor losses and whether the grid
can ever be fully electrified by the target dates.



Weld County Presentation on Ozone Control Strategies - Committee Discussion Only
02:33:56 PM  
Dr. Morales gave
her second presentation on ozone control strategies (Attachment J). Dr.
Morales discussed various ozone control strategies. She discussed source
apportionment modeling and gave suggestions for actions to be taken to
reduce ozone.  
02:53:01 PM  
Dr. Morales answered
questions from the committee on photochemical modelling and the terms used.
She answered a question on how Weld may be in attainment but how to deal
with emissions from Weld blowing into other areas. Dr. Morales responded
to questions about design values shown from other local government presentations.
She answered questions about operators in Weld County and financial impact
of those operators. Matt Catwright, Assitant Weld County Attorney, clarified
the answers to some questions.



Colorado Fiscal Institute Presentation - Committee Discussion Only
03:06:18 PM  
Pegah Jalali, Research
Manager at Colorado Fiscal Institute, introduced herself and began her
presentation. CFI's presentation is included as Attachment K. Dr. Jalali
presented on the economic benefits and the environmental costs of the oil
and gas industry, including greenhouse gas emissions and other costs.



Public Testimony on Industry and Local Government Impact - Committee Discussion Only
03:29:44 PM  
Joan Poston, representing themself, testified.
03:29:45 PM  
Written testimony is included as Attachment L.


03:37:00 PM   The committee adjourned.






Colorado legislature email addresses ending in @state.co.us are no longer active. Please replace @state.co.us with @coleg.gov for Colorado legislature email addresses. Details

The effective date for bills enacted without a safety clause is August 7, 2024, if the General Assembly adjourns sine die on May 8, 2024, unless otherwise specified. Details