The Brown Cloud Is Back
Gov. Polis and Rep. DeGette Are Working To Close Loopholes, Improve Air Quality
Springtime is in full swing and getting outdoors is a priority. Denverites are blessed with an incredible view of our city skyline and stunning snowcapped mountains, and yet again, that view is tainted by the brown cloud.
As a child I had a panoramic view of our mountains from Colorado Springs to Longmont, which also provided an unsightly view of the brown cloud hanging over the Front Range.
My family moved here shortly after the Federal Clean Air Act went into effect in 1972. That law is now under threat from the Trump Administration. In April of last year, the president directed the Environmental Protection Agency to ease air quality rules, stating that it posed “unnecessary and outdated barriers to growth.”
The Clean Air Act established the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), which led to establishing standards on these pollutants: sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone and lead.
Here in Colorado, the Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Air Quality website notes, “ground-level ozone is an air pollution problem that impacts the health of all Coloradans. Exposure can cause acute respiratory problems and trigger asthma attacks.” Colorado’s air quality has been worsening and we have been exceeding the ozone standards.
Ground level ozone
You may recall when scientists were worried about the hole in the ozone layer in the 1980’s. Scientists discovered a massive hole above Antarctica, which was created by chlorofluorocarbons in the air. Scientists identified what was causing the problem and the world reacted by phasing out chloroflourocarbons. It is expected that by 2050 the ozone hole will completely close.
The ozone layer is different than ground level ozone. Ground level ozone is typically caused from the interaction of car exhaust fumes and sunlight. This is harmful to not only humans but to plants. The damage to plants can result in lower agricultural yields, potentially leading to food shortages. In addition to harmful effects to human health and food shortages, it also contributes to climate change. If we can figure out how to close the hole in the ozone layer, we can certainly solve Denver’s air pollution problem.
Our air quality has worsened as oil and gas has expanded along the Front Range. In addition, our population has grown, as has the number of car tailpipe emissions. In order to adjust to the increase in population we will need to move to renewable resources to improve the air quality.
Both Gov. Jared Polis and U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette are working on solutions to our air quality issues. Some of Colorado’s dirty air is a result of China’s pollution blowing into the state. The EPA may excuse us from being considered a serious violator from federal standards, however Polis has strongly come out against excusing us from improving our air quality. Rather than pointing fingers, he is focusing on moving us to electric vehicles and renewable energy.
In March, DeGette introduced legislation to regulate the amount of hydrogen cyanide from refineries. The intent is to plug a loophole in the Clean Air Act, which has no maximum limit for this chemical. Currently companies are allowed to set their own limit without regard to nearby communities. The loophole exists because the EPA has not set a maximum allowable limit. DeGette describes this as inexcusable. Hydrogen cyanide can cause headaches, respiratory failure, and has been used as chemical warfare.
Protecting public health
Communities that live near refineries – such as those close to Suncor, in Commerce City just north of Park Hill – could see health protections through this proposal. Suncor pumps more than 25,000 pounds of the chemical into the air each year. Vulnerable communities near refineries and highways have been burdened with higher levels of pollutants. DeGette’s legislation will amend the Clean Air Act by:
• Requiring the Environmental Protection Agency to set a numerical emissions limit on hydrogen cyanide (HCN) from petroleum refineries within two years of enactment.
• Requiring that the EPA sets a limit for hydrogen cyanide that provides the “maximum degree of reduction in emissions that is achievable” and “assures an ample margin of safety to protect public health and environment.”
• Requiring the EPA to set a limit for hydrogen cyanide that reflects the best available science regarding the effects of HCN on the health of children and vulnerable sub-populations, including when multiple sources of HCN and exposure to additional pollutants may be present in a given area.
• Requiring petroleum refineries that emit hydrogen cyanide to establish real-time fence-line monitoring and online public reporting of its hydrogen cyanide emissions.
Despite President Trump’s direction to loosen rules surrounding air quality, two of Colorado ‘s own elected officials are working hard to protect Coloradans from deleterious health effects and climate change. They both should be thanked for their efforts to address these critical issues.
Tracey MacDermott is chair of the board of Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. Active in the Registered Neighborhood Organization for many years, MacDermott was the 2012 recipient of the Dr. J. Carlton Babbs Award for Community Service. She was trained as a Climate Reality Leader in 2017, and is currently the Statewide Co-Chair of the Climate Reality Project for the 100% Committed Campaign.