September 10, 2026
Earthworks appreciates the opportunity to provide comments on the proposed revisions to Regulation 7 to conclude the process of aligning Colorado’s rules with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 40 C.F.R. Pt. OOOOc…
Since 2014, Earthworks has worked with partners across the US to raise public awareness about methane pollution from the oil and gas industry and to advocate for federal methane standards. After the EPA finalized New Source Performance Standards OOOOb and OOOOc targeting methane emissions in the oil and gas sector in 2024, we have advocated for states including Colorado to move promptly to implement the new standards at the state level. We were supportive of the February 2025 revisions to Regulation 7 that initiated this process and adopted a new aggressive timeline for the statewide phase out of gas-emitting pneumatic controllers from oil and gas facilities. Those revisions encouragingly put Colorado on track to accomplish this goal ahead of the 2029 deadline set by the EPA rule. Similarly, we supported the Air Pollution Control Division’s (Division) February 2026 revisions to Regulation 72 that continued the process of aligning state rules with the EPA standards. In particular, we championed the direct requirement of certain best management practices in the transmission and storage segment as is required by OOOOc. We consistently advocate for prescriptive rules that require best practices and effective technology. Facilities should be operated in a manner that reduces harmful impacts and achieves technically feasible emissions reductions regardless of operator discretion.
To conclude this multi-year process, Earthworks supports the Division’s current proposed revisions to Regulation 7. The Air Quality Control Commission (Commission) should adopt the Division’s Revised Proposal in full…