Speeding to meet a September deadline, the Regional Air Quality Council on Monday began its review of a final draft plan to cut ozone pollution along the Front Range.
“We are really down to the wire,” said Andrew Spielman, the council’s chairman.
Last year, the Denver area’s average level of ozone — a corrosive gas — exceeded federal health standards, requiring the region to develop a mandatory plan to cut the pollutant.
The plan projects cutting as much as 82 tons a day in volatile organics, chemical nitrogen oxides and carbon-monoxide pollution.
In 2006, residents in the regional stretching from roughly Castle Rock to Wellington created about 373 tons of nitrogen oxides and 484 tons of volatile organics, according to a council computer analysis.
The pollutants come from a wide variety of sources, including auto tailpipes, lawn mowers, power-plant smokestacks and paving streets with asphalt.
Ozone — a principal ingredient in smog — is created when volatile organic chemicals and nitrogen oxides interact with heat and sunlight.
Medical studies have shown that ozone impairs breathing even in healthy people and that even at low levels, it increases the risk of death.
The elderly, infants and those with respiratory problems are most at risk.
The pollution-reduction plan must be adopted by the state Air Pollution Control Commission and then sent to the legislature for approval.
The final plan must be filed with federal Environmental Protection Agency next spring.
The proposed plan targets an array of pollution sources for reduction.
More stringent auto inspections already have begun, designed to remove 3 tons of nitrogen oxides, 1 ton of volatile organic chemicals and 13 tons of carbon monoxide a day.
The biggest chunk of pollution cuts — up to 62 tons a day — will come from the oil and gas fields of Weld County, where operators would be required to reduce leaks, capture low-level emissions and replace valves.
Public meetings outlining the plan will be held, one from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Aurora Central Public Library, 14949 E. Alameda Parkway, and another from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 19 at the Westminster College Hill Library, 3705 W. 112th Ave.
Mark Jaffe: 303-954-1912 or MJaffe@denverpost.com
