Greenhouse gas reduction planning for oil and gas midstream fuel combustion equipment
On this page: First annual Midstream Segment Information Report | Midstream fuel combustion equipment annual reports | Greenhouse gas emissions from midstream | How community input informed the Air Quality Control Commission’s midstream rule | Midstream Steering Committee | Midstream Segment Emission Reduction Report | Past public participation opportunities | Interactive map: Midstream locations, disproportionately impacted communities, and 2024 emissions | Company emission reduction plans | Press releases | Contact us
Update: On Dec. 20, 2024, the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission adopted the measure described on this page. The commission publishes final rule language in the public register on its regulations web page. Read more in CDPHE's press release.
First annual Midstream Segment Information Report
The CDPHE Air Pollution Control Division published the first annual Midstream Segment Information Report, as required by Regulation 7, Part B, Section VII.F.5. The report is required by a rule the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission adopted in December 2024, which addresses greenhouse gas emissions from oil and gas midstream fuel combustion equipment. The rule sets an annual segment cap and individual company caps on relevant greenhouse gas emissions.
The first annual report summarizes information the division received from midstream companies in 2025, including:
- Reported emissions data from 2024.
- Planned projects.
- Plans for companies to meet their individual emissions caps.
- An assessment of segment progress.
The division held a public information session on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025 to present the first annual report for midstream fuel combustion equipment. The division shared information reported by midstream owners or operators on their greenhouse gas emissions and currently planned reduction projects.
Midstream fuel combustion equipment annual reports
The CDPHE Air Pollution Control Division has posted resources and scheduled an online information session to support oil and gas operators with their required midstream fuel combustion equipment annual reports. All midstream operators must submit their first annual reports by June 30, 2025. This is in accordance with December 2024 revisions to Regulation 7, Part B, Section VII.
Reports must include facility-level midstream fuel combustion equipment (MFCE) emissions from the previous calendar year and plans to meet company-wide greenhouse gas emission caps by 2030.
Companies must use the division’s template for midstream fuel combustion equipment annual reports. The division also prepared a guidance document for midstream operators.
Greenhouse gas emissions from midstream
The operation of fuel combustion equipment in the oil and gas midstream segment is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. The equipment includes engines, turbines, heaters, reboilers, and boilers. The majority of midstream facilities in Colorado are located in Weld, Garfield, and Rio Blanco counties.
Figure 1. Natural gas industry segments diagram.
The air division and the Midstream Steering Committee conducted a three-year planning process to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from midstream fuel combustion equipment statewide. This planning process was established by Regulation 7, Part B, Section VII.
The division presented a regulatory rule proposal to the Air Quality Control Commission in August 2024. On Dec. 20, 2024, the commission adopted the rule.
This rule will advance ongoing actions by the state to meet greenhouse gas reduction targets for the industrial sector in the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Roadmap.
The new rule includes provisions to prioritize greenhouse gas emissions reductions in disproportionately impacted communities, and allows eligible midstream companies to participate in a credit trading program.
How community input informed the Air Quality Control Commission’s midstream rule
The midstream rule adopted and revised by the Air Quality Control Commission changed in several ways based on community input.
Changes reflected in the final rule include:
- Requiring midstream companies to prioritize the reduction of emissions at facilities located in disproportionately impacted communities.
- Facilitating community engagement through allowing for an opportunity for public comment on any requests for waivers to reduce emissions in the Front Range Priority Area.
- Ensuring that emission reductions in disproportionately impacted communities are reported separately from reductions in the Front Range Priority Area.
Midstream Steering Committee
The Midstream Steering Committee was a technical working group that:
- Developed a segment-wide report with recommendations for greenhouse gas reductions from midstream fuel combustion equipment.
- Presented the report to the Air Pollution Control Division in March 2024.
The Midstream Steering Committee met online at least monthly between February 2022 and March 2024.
- June 21, 2022: Presentation by electric utilities about their electrification project planning process.
- Aug. 24, 2022: Presentation on opportunities for waste heat recovery for onsite electricity generation.
- Oct. 10, 2022: Presentations from university researchers about methane emissions and reductions from engines.
Midstream Segment Emission Reduction Report
The Midstream Steering Committee’s proposed Midstream Segment Emission Reduction Report is available in English and Spanish. The report outlines the committee’s recommendations. The 30-day public comment period on the report closed on June 10, 2024. The report and public feedback helped inform the division’s proposed rule.
To access public comments received use the download button in the top-right of the OnBase window:
- Comments received from Midstream Steering Committee members.
- Comments received from members of the public and organizations.
Past public participation opportunities
The division held a public information session on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025 to present the first annual report for midstream fuel combustion equipment. The division shared information reported by midstream owners or operators on their greenhouse gas emissions and currently planned reduction projects.
- English Recording | Presentation
- Spanish Recording | Presentation
The CDPHE Air Pollution Control Division hosted online public meetings in 2024 about ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the midstream oil and gas segment. The meetings provided an opportunity to ask questions and share feedback to inform the division’s rule proposal.
- Virtual event: Thursday, July 18, 2024.
- Virtual event: Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024.
The division held two public feedback meetings on the Midstream Steering Committee’s Midstream Segment Emission Reduction Report in June 2024. The meetings offered an additional opportunity to provide feedback on the report.
- Virtual event: Tuesday, June 4, 2024.
- Virtual event: Saturday, June 8, 2024.
The division convened several online community information sessions in 2023 and 2024. The division offered these sessions to encourage community understanding and engagement with the midstream greenhouse gas reduction planning process.
These community sessions were held separately from the Midstream Steering Committee and provided opportunities for Colorado communities to provide feedback.
- Virtual event: Thursday, March 7, 2024.
- Virtual event: Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024.
- Virtual event: Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024.
- Virtual event: Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023.
- Virtual event: Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023.
Interactive map: Midstream locations, disproportionately impacted communities, and 2024 emissions
The interactive map dashboard shows 2024 midstream fuel combustion equipment greenhouse gas emissions statewide and within the boundaries of Colorado’s disproportionately impacted communities.
Use the buttons on the left to switch between EnviroScreen 1.0 (May 2023 definition) and EnviroScreen 2.0 (November 2024 definition).
Use the dropdown menu at the top right to toggle between displaying all midstream locations and midstream locations within disproportionately impacted community boundaries.
To zoom in on specific areas, click on counties or census block numbers in the table at the bottom.
Questions, comments, or suggestions? Email cdphe.commentsapcd@state.co.us.
Company emission reduction plans
By Sept. 30, 2023, each midstream segment owner or operator statewide was required to submit a company-specific emission reduction plan, or cERP, that quantifies recent emissions and explores reduction options.
Company-submitted cERP files, as adjusted by the division, are available for download. Download cERP files now.
In March 2023, the Midstream Steering Committee published a guidance document and workbooks for cERP development.
Press releases
Dec. 20, 2024: Colorado adopts nation-leading standard to cut greenhouse gas emissions from oil and gas
Contact us
Questions? Email the CDPHE Air Pollution Control Division at cdphe.commentsapcd@state.co.us.
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