News

Funding will be used to directly reduce ozone precursors and other air pollutants on Front Range

In response to a recent violation at the Commerce City Suncor facility, the Environmental Protection Agency has fined the oil and gas producer $760,660 for noncompliant fuel produced by Suncor that resulted in excess amounts of hazardous air pollution, such as carcinogenic benzene and volatile organic compounds released into the air and neighboring communities. For details on that violation or fine, please refer to the release from EPA.

Supplemental Environmental Programs (SEPs) are state or federal programs that utilize a portion of fine money from industries to organizations doing work in impacted communities. The Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) periodically receives SEP funds. This is the 10th time RAQC has conducted a SEP related to a Suncor violation. RAQC is receiving $600,000 of the overall $760,660 fine.

RAQC will be using the funds to electrify small engine equipment in the area through its Mow Down Pollution programs. Funding will be used in both the residential program, which offers residents $75 to $150 vouchers toward the purchase of electric or manual lawn and garden equipment, as well as the RAQC’s local government grant program, which offers up to $50,000 to electrify parks and other lawn and garden equipment. The residential program spending is specifically in communities closer to the Suncor facility and the grant program will support emissions reductions throughout the greater Front Range.

“No program can undo the damage from violations like Suncor’s, but initiatives like the RAQC’s Mow Down Pollution program directly reduce ozone precursors, greenhouse gas emissions, and other air pollutants in impacted areas,” said David Sabados, Communications and Programs Director for the RAQC.

The RAQC also applauds the EPA’s recent objection to Suncor’s plant 2 clean air permit, which directs CDPHE to evaluate whether additional operational requirements are needed.

Unlike some energy companies that are transitioning to cleaner energy products, Suncor’s CEO recently stated they are deemphasizing cleaner options and instead refocusing on oil production. The Suncor corporation, which operates multiple facilities in Canada and the U.S., including the Commerce City facilities, reported $1.88 billion in earnings in Q2. Based on Q2 earnings, the fines would represent less than one hour’s earnings to the corporation.

The RAQC is available to answer questions about SEP implementation and programs, while questions regarding details of the violation should be directed to the EPA or Suncor.

RAQC media contact: David Sabados, RAQC Communications and Programs Director

Beginning September 1, 2023, riders age 19 and younger will ride for free and breathe easier.

Regional Transportation District (RTD) fares are currently free for all riders through the end of August 2023 as part of the Zero Fare for Better Air initiative to help reduce ground-level ozone in the Front Range. But when September begins, youth will continue to be able to ride anywhere in the district’s 9-county region at no cost.  

Approved on July 25, 2023, the pilot program Zero Fare for Youth will allow riders ages 19 and under to use RTD’s services for free, from September 1, 2023 through August 31, 2024. All trains, buses, and FlexRide services are included in the program.  

“The idea that a car is the symbol of freedom for teenagers is a farce. Cars often end up being a financial burden just as teens are starting to earn money and plan for life after high school,” said David Sabados, Communications and Programs Director for the RAQC. “Free transit service for Front Range teens means they can spend their money elsewhere, and there’s fewer cars on the road creating pollution. It’s a win-win for everyone and helps create good lifelong habits.” 

Zero Fare for Youth promotes equity by ensuring transportation is not a barrier to accessing education or employment. The program also promotes equity and affordability by reducing costs and increasing cost competitiveness of public transit for families traveling together. Finally, riding transit for free reduces the number of vehicles on the road and resulting air pollution; improving air quality in our communities and increasing health benefits for the people who live in them. 

To participate, riders must present a valid student or government-issued ID. RTD hopes to continue the program after the pilot. For more information, including a full list of acceptable ID options, visit: rtd-denver.com/zerofare/youth.  

The RAQC is pleased to join and support several free public events this summer in the Denver metro area. Come by our table to say hi and grab new swag, information, and resources about what we call can do to help reduce ground-level ozone in the Front Range. We look forward to seeing you!

Bike to Work Day

On June 28, put some joy back into your commute! Join thousands of Denver-region residents for Bike to Work Day this summer. Register to swap a ride in your car for a ride on two wheels on Wednesday, June 28, and help improve air quality.

Join the RAQC at the Bannock Street station at Civic Center Park from 6 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. for free coffee, burritos, swag and more!

¡Viva! Streets Denver

¡Viva! Streets Denver is a free community event series that celebrates Denver’s vibrant neighborhoods and supports local business with temporary car-free streets. Over four Sundays from May through August, approximately 3.5 miles of downtown streets will close to cars and open to people. All ages are invited to walk, bike, roll, jog, scoot, or dance down activated streets in the heart of our city and connect with community through exercise, entertainment, and food.

Come find the RAQC on July 9 and August 6 at Broadway and W 9th Ave in Denver! We’ll have information and fun new swag to give away.

Civic Center EATS

Civic Center EATS is the annual food truck event that brings a variety of Denver’s best mobile restaurants together for lunch throughout the summer. Come down to Civic Center Park on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The RAQC will be present on six of these dates, which are currently scheduled as follows.

Wednesday, July 12
Thursday, July 20
Thursday, July 27
Wednesday, August 2
Thursday, August 10
Thursday, August 17

Community members encouraged to swap car trips for public transit to reduce ground-level ozone

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) will launch Zero Fare for Better Air: a collaborative, statewide initiative designed to reduce ground-level ozone by increasing use of transit starting July 1. The Regional Air Quality Council is proudly partnering with RTD to encourage community members to increase RTD ridership for cleaner air.

Through a partnership with the Colorado Energy Office, made possible by Colorado Senate Bill 22-180, RTD will offer zero fares for the second consecutive year, expanding to cover fares for both July and August.

The RAQC encourages residents of the RTD service area to take advantage of this free service and #JustSkip2 car trips each week in July and August to help achieve significant air quality, health, environmental, and economic benefits.

Improved air quality

While we cannot see or smell it, ground-level ozone is the Front Range’s most pressing air quality problem. Emissions from gas-powered vehicles, lawn equipment, and oil and gas production combine on sunny, summer Colorado days to form this invisible pollutant that irritates our throats and lungs, increases our susceptibility to respiratory infections, and exacerbates ailments such as asthma.

Taking public transit keeps cars off the road, limiting traffic congestion, air pollution, and ground-level ozone. If just 10% of the population within the RTD service area (about 308,000 people) just skipped two car trips per week for both July and August this summer, the Denver metro area would see an emissions reduction of more than 17 tons of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and 16 tons of Nitrous Oxides (NOx) — the two chemicals that react to form ground-level ozone when combined with sunlight and heat. That means fewer ozone action alert days, and healthier air in which to enjoy the great outdoors here in Colorado.

Sign up for ozone alerts from the Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) to be in the know about ground-level ozone. Visit SimpleStepsBetterAir.org to sign up for emails and/or text “BetterAirCO” to 21000 to receive air quality alerts on your phone. When a high ozone day is occurring or anticipated for the next day, the RAQC will send you a text or email to let you know, so you can make a plan to reduce your emissions.

Reduced carbon emissions

Transportation is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions causing climate change. Approximately 85% of the greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. that come from transportation are due to day-to-day commutes. By leaving the car at home and hopping on a bus or train, a person can save up to 20 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions every day.

In fact, if just 10% of the RTD area population swapped two car trips per week for public transit in both July and August, the Front Range would save 84,000,000 pounds (42,000 tons) of greenhouse gas emissions from being released into the atmosphere. That’s the equivalent of 1.75 million mature trees pulling carbon dioxide out of the air for an entire year, or taking almost 10,000 cars off the road for the year.

Cost savings

With gas hovering around $4 per gallon, switching to public transit frees up additional funds in Front Range residents’ everyday budgets. If 10% of residents serviced by RTD replaced two car trips a week with public transit, they would together save a combined more than 4 million gallons of gas and $16 million dollars in July and August alone.

To learn how to hop on board to participate in Zero Fare for Better Air, visit rtd-denver.com/zerofare.com.

Visit SimpleStepsBetterAir.org for more information about how to reduce your ozone impact this summer and help your Colorado community breathe easier.

Join the Air Pollution Control Division for an Ozone Public Listening Session

Wednesday, May 31st, 5:30 – 7 p.m.:

• Register to attend in person at the Irving Street Library, Westminster OR
• Register to attend over Zoom

Saturday, August 19th, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.:

• Register to attend over Zoom

Colorado is actively planning next steps in addressing ground-level ozone in the North Front Range.

The Air Pollution Control Division will use these meetings to discuss updated emissions inventories and provide updates on the work to reduce ozone. These sessions will also share Air Pollution Control Division efforts to assess technical analyses that support air quality planning efforts and advance potential reduction strategies. Join us to learn about ozone planning, ask questions, learn how to stay involved, and share comments!

For more information about this meeting or future ozone meetings hosted by the APCD, please sign up to receive notifications or find more information on our webpage.

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Acompáñenos en una sesión de escucha para el público sobre el ozono

Miércoles, 31 de mayo, 5:30 a 7:00 p.m.:

• Regístrese para unirse en personaen Irving Street Library, Westminster o
• Regístrese en Zoom

Sábado, 19 de agosto, 10 a.m. a 12 p.m.:

• Regístrese en Zoom

Colorado está planificando activamente los próximos pasos que se darán para hacer frente al ozono a nivel del suelo en la zona del Front Range.

Durante estas reuniónes hablaremos de los inventarios de emisiones actualizados y proporcionaremos actualizaciones acerca del trabajo para reducir el ozono. Estas sesiónes incluye la evaluación de los análisis técnicos que respaldan la labor de planificación de la calidad del aire y la promoción de las posibles estrategias de reducción. ¡Acompáñenos para obtener más información sobre los planes del ozono, hacer preguntas, aprender cómo puede mantenerse involucrado o involucrada y compartir sus comentarios!

Para obtener más información sobre esta reunión u otras reuniones que la División de Control de la Contaminación del Aire organice en el futuro sobre el ozono, regístrese para recibir notificaciones o busque más información en nuestra página web.

The Regional Air Quality Council welcomes Kelsey Simpkins to the RAQC staff.  Prior to joining the RAQC, Kelsey worked at the University of Colorado Boulder in media relations and as a science writer, specializing in climate and environmental science. She previously worked for sustainability science NGO Future Earth as a digital engagement and communications specialist, and for the Twin Cities-based ecological restoration nonprofit Great River Greening in development and communications.

As Communications and Programs Coordinator, Kelsey will manage media, public relations, and community outreach and events for the Simple Steps Better Air program.

The Regional Air Quality Council welcomes a new Planning Director, Tom Moore.  He came to the RAQC after serving as the Technical Services Program manager at the State’s Air Pollution Control Division as well as working for many years for the Western Regional Air Partnership, coordinating air quality analysis and planning for the 15-state WRAP region. He has served as the Vice Chair for the Air Quality Enterprise Board and chaired the Fort Collins Air Quality Advisory Board. Tom has a B.S. degree in Physical Geography from Arizona State University.

As the Planning Director, he will be working on air quality control strategies, coordinating development of the State Implementation Plan components, and leading emission inventory and photochemical modeling analyses.

The Regional Air Quality Council welcomed 14 board members to serve through April of 2025. The RAQC’s board, currently consisting of 29 members, is appointed by the governor of Colorado. Applicants are selected from across the front range and are chosen because of their varied backgrounds and their commitment to improving air quality:

New members to the board:

In addition to the 5 new members, 9 members have been reappointed to an additional term.

For more information on RAQC board members, visit raqc.org/board-members

The RAQC would also like to thank five departing board members for their service to the organization and the state. We appreciate the time they have given.