Help in your language: Free language assistance services are available to you. To request assistance in another language, email cdphe_apcd_outreach@state.co.us. Please include the topic and “language assistance” in the subject line. Please also link to the specific information you’d like to access, if possible, such as a web page or document.
Ayuda en el idioma de su preferencia: ofrecemos asistencia en el idioma de su preferencia, sin cargo alguno. Si desea solicitar asistencia en español o en otro idioma, envíe un correo electrónico a cdphe_apcd_outreach@state.co.us. Indique el tema y la frase “language assistance” (asistencia en otro idioma) como asunto de su mensaje. De ser posible, incluya un enlace a la información que desea consultar, como la página web o el documento.
Update: Upstream oil and gas operators in the 8-hour ozone nonattainment area must submit interim ozone season nitrogen oxide (NOx) intensity reports by Nov. 30 for years 2024, 2025, and 2026. The reports are required under Air Quality Control Commission Regulation 7, Part B, Section VI.
The 2024 interim ozone season NOx intensity reports are due Nov. 30, 2024. The reporting form template and related guidance documents are now available. Ensure version 1.1+ is referenced in the downloaded file name to facilitate a successful submission validation process.
Background
Oil and gas exploration and production processes are collectively known as the “upstream” operations. Upstream oil and gas operations include:
- Drilling new oil and gas wells.
- Hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking.” This involves injecting water, sand, or other materials into a well to help with extracting oil and gas.
- Completing oil and gas wells. This can involve encasing a well in concrete, or other steps to prepare them for production.
- Producing or extracting oil or gas from wells.
Upstream oil and gas operations are a significant source of nitrogen oxides, or “NOx,” emissions. NOx emissions, along with volatile organic compound emissions, are what’s known as “ozone precursors.” That means when NOx emissions react with volatile organic compound emissions in heat and sunlight, they form harmful ground-level ozone pollution.
In March 2023, Governor Polis directed the Air Pollution Control Division to develop rules that will apply to upstream oil and gas operators in areas of Colorado that do not meet federal ozone pollution standards. According to Governor Polis’s direction, these operations need to achieve:
- A 30% reduction in NOx by 2025.
- At least a 50% reduction in NOx by 2030.
In December 2023, Colorado took action designed to meet the 2025 NOx reduction target. The Colorado Air Quality Control Commission achieved this by implementing regulations to reduce emissions from stationary engines and drilling and fracking operations.
In December 2023, the commission also established the planning process for actions to meet the 2030 NOx reduction target. To help explore options, the commission directed the division and the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission to establish a new NOx Reduction Steering Committee.
In March 2024, the CDPHE Air Pollution Control Division established the NOx Reduction Steering Committee and began the planning process to meet the 2030 reduction target.
The division is also requiring oil and gas operators to collect the NOx emissions data during the ozone season (May - September) and submit that information. The division will use these reports to inform actions to help reduce NOx emissions.
NOx intensity reporting for operators
Calculation methodology and emission factors
Sources with permitted methodologies for pollutants must use those to calculate pollutants. Refer to the Calculation Methodology: Guidance document for more information.
Submission procedure
Submit interim ozone season NOx intensity reports and any associated supporting documentation to cdphe_apcd_nox@state.co.us.
- Title the files as follows for submission:
- NOx Intensity Form: [Year]_[CompanyName]_NIF.xlsx
- Supporting Documentation: [Year]_[CompanyName]_TSD[#].docx (or) .pdf
Forms and instructions are provided below, organized by reporting calendar year.
NOx Intensity Documents Changelog
November 7, 2024
NOx Intensity Form updated to v1.1; Operation Emissions List: “Type of Operation” column now has entry option of “Other” for emissions that are still necessary to report but are not associated with the primary categories, and the “Demonstration that Use Practices were Followed” columns now permit multiple code entries per row by use of a backslash (\) to separate.
NOx Intensity Guidance updated to v1.2; minor language changes to account for and clarify the alterations to the Form.
2024 reporting - Interim ozone season NOx intensity
The 2024 operator submissions data is provisional and subject to revision and validation by division staff. Available data was provided by operators and may be resubmitted by operators at any time. For the most recent data or if a reporting error is observed, email cdphe_apcd_nox@state.co.us.
NOx Reduction Steering Committee
The NOx Reduction Steering Committee is a technical working group. The committee will develop recommendations for NOx pollution reductions from the upstream oil and gas operations. The committee will complete its recommendations by the end of 2024. Committee members include:
- Hunter Dorn, Xcel Energy.
- Derek Eggert, Chevron.
- Nini Gu, Environmental Defense Fund.
- Keith Hay, Colorado Energy Office.
- Greg Howes, United Power.
- Katie Keefe, Adams County.
- Meredith Knauf, Prairie Operating Co.
- Neil Kolwey, Southwest Energy Efficiency Project.
- Jason Maxey, Weld County.
- Bill Oberman, City and County of Denver.
- Dida Osbourne, Energy and Carbon Management Commission.
- Kate Percival, Civitas.
- Janessa Salgado, Oxy.
Public participation opportunities
The NOx Reduction Steering Committee began meeting in March 2024. The members committed to holding meetings once a month for at least six months. During these meetings, members engage in technical discussions on potential strategies to reduce NOx pollution. Meetings are held virtually. Members of the public are welcome to observe. Register to attend a meeting:
- Wed. Oct 30, 2024 1-3 p.m.
- Wed. Mar 27, 2024.
- Wed. May 1, 2024.
- Wed. May 29, 2024.
- Wed. June 26, 2024.
- Wed. July 31, 2024.
- Wed. August 28, 2024.
To send written comments or questions on NOx reduction planning, contact cdphe.commentsapcd@state.co.us. Include “NOx Reduction Planning” in the subject line.
The CDPHE Air Pollution Control Division hosted a public information meeting on the NOx Reduction Steering Committee’s progress and recommendations. This meeting was separate from the committee’s regular technical discussions. The public information meeting provided:
- An overview of the committee’s work.
- Opportunities for the public to comment and ask questions.
- The meeting also included brief updates on Regulation 7 and the division’s ozone state implementation plan.
- Thurs. July 25, 2024 6-8 p.m.
Visit the division’s public participation web page to learn about upcoming opportunities to get involved.
Contact us
Questions? Email cdphe_apcd_nox@state.co.us.