New disproportionately impacted community definition in effect as of May 2023
In May 2023, Colorado adopted a new definition of disproportionately impacted communities with House Bill 23-1233. Colorado now has a single definition of disproportionately impacted communities that applies to all Colorado state agencies.
After it was signed into law, the Air Pollution Control Division began applying the new 2023 definition in its work. This includes applying the new definition to the division’s work relating to oil and gas operations.
The latest version of Colorado EnviroScreen currently provides data based on this new definition. Please continue using the latest version of the disproportionately impacted community definition displayed on Colorado EnviroScreen to identify disproportionately impacted communities moving forward.
You can also directly download Geographic Information System (GIS) files (shapefiles) with the current definition of disproportionately impacted communities from CDPHE Open Data.
Questions? Please contact cdphe_ej@state.co.us.
Oil & Gas
Storage tank and vapor control system guidelines
Guidelines for design, operation, and maintenance of vapor control systems at oil and gas facilities.
Oil & gas operating and maintenance plans
Forms and guidance for O&M plans for equipment at oil & gas facilities.
Midstream GHG Reductions
Each oil and gas midstream segment owner or operator must participate in this program to develop a plan to reduce GHG emissions from midstream fuel combustion equipment. (Reg. 7, Part B, Section VII). Rulemaking in late 2024.
Regulation No. 7
Approved Instrument Monitoring Method (AIMM)
Part B, Section I.F.3: Storage Tank Control Strategy
Part B, Section I.H.6: Glycol dehydrators
Part B, Section II.: Control Equipment
- Alternative Emissions Control Device Request Form.
- PS Memo 15-03 Air Pollution Control Equipment Requirements.
Part B, Section II.B.2.h: ECD Performance Testing
- Standard ECD Protocol
- Notifications required by II.B.2.h.(iii)(A) due July 31, 2022:
- Use either:
- Notification Form, or
- Spreadsheet-based version of Notification Form (do not modify column order; email completed version in .xlsx format to cdphe_apcd_ecd@state.co.us)
- Only ECDs that commenced operation before December 31, 2021 (and are subject to II.B.2.h.) need to be included in this notification.
- Use either:
- OTM 52 Outlet Only Testing Protocol
Part B, Section II.C: Storage Tank Emissions Management (STEM)
- STEM plan template.
- PS Memo 15-01 Oil & Gas STEM Plan Requirements.
Part B, Section II.E.4.f.: Alternative inspection frequency
- Automatic Pressure Management and Pilot Light Systems (APMPLS)
- An optional program for owners or operators of well production facilities, to qualify well production facilities for a potentially less-frequent LDAR inspection schedule requirement as provided by Regulation No. 7, Part B, Section II.E.4.f.
Part B, Section II.G: Well Liquid Unloading, Downhole Well Maintenance, and Well Plugging Activities
- Refer to Section 2.3 of FAQ Volume 1 for December 2021 Revisions to Regulations 7 and 22.
- File a notification of excess water infiltration due to hydraulic fracturing per Regulation No. 7, Part B, Section II.G.1.d.(iii)
Part B, Section IV: Natural Gas Transmission and Storage Segment
Part B, Section V: Oil and Natural Gas Annual Emissions Inventory Reporting
Part B, Section VI: Oil and Natural Gas Pre-Production and Early Production Operations
- Pre-production and early production operations air quality monitoring
- Pre-production and early production operations air quality monitoring, approved plans (Public OnBase records)
Part B, Section VII: GHGs from Midstream Fuel Combustion Equipment
Part B, Section VIII.E: Upstream Intensity Operator Greenhouse Gas Intensity Plans
Reporters are required to email their Plan to cdphe_apcd_ei@state.co.us by August 31, 2023. Any questions may be sent to cdphe_apcd_ei@state.co.us or Keegan.Conley@state.co.us.
Part B, Section III.C.4 - Pneumatics Reporting
- Guidance document
- Well Production Facility Pneumatic Controller Form
- Compressor Station Pneumatic Controller Form
- Pneumatic Controllers on Temporary/Portable Equipment Report Form
- Annual Wellhead Pneumatics AIMM/AVO Inspection Delay Form
- Pneumatic Controllers Task Force
- Stakeholder process to assess the maintenance and use of pneumatic controllers in the oil and natural gas industry
Regulation No. 26
Regulation No. 26, Part B, Section I.D.5.b - Large Engines
Regulation 26, Part B, Section I.D.6 - Medium Engines
"Medium" Engines are: Rich Burn Natural Gas Fired engines 100hp < 1000 hp, Lean Burn Natural Gas Fired engines 250hp < 1000 hp, Diesel or dual fuel engines >500 hp
Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR)
Guidance
- PS Memo 14-04 LDAR and open-ended valves and line requirements.
- March 2021 LDAR Training slides.
Visible Emissions Observations
- Method 9 Observation Form.
Visible emission opacity test, which requires observer certification. - Procedures on Visible Emissions Memo.
Memo about performing visible emissions observations. - Method 22 Observation Form.
Visible emission test. - Opacity and stack testing firms.
Regulatory Updates Guidance
2021 Revisions to Regulation No. 7 and Regulation No. 22
- December 2021 Regulations 7 and 22 - FAQ, Volume 1 (version August 30, 2022)
- Note: Effective June 2023, Regulation No. 22 Part B Sections III and IV were moved to Regulation No. 7, Part B, Sections VII and VIII, respectively.
2020 Revisions to Regulation No. 7
2019 Revisions to Regulation No. 3 and 7
2017 Revisions to Regulation No. 7
2014 Changes to Regulation Nos. 3, 6, and 7
- PS Memo 14-01 Regulation No. 3 Changes.
Optical Gas Imaging Infrared (IR) Camera Inspection Program
IR camera inspection pilot project assessment (July 2016)
Two-year project using optical gas imaging infrared cameras to identify and address sources of emission leaks and venting.
IR camera inspection program updated assessment (March 2019)
Noble Energy consent decree
Settlement between Noble Energy, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, effective June 2, 2015.