SB 24-229

  • Colorado Senate Bill
  • 2024 Regular Session
  • Introduced in Senate May 04, 2024
  • Passed Senate May 04, 2024
  • Passed House May 06, 2024
  • Signed by Governor May 16, 2024

Ozone Mitigation Measures

Abstract

Section 2 of the act requires the division of administration (division) in the department of public health and environment (department) to propose rules to the air quality control commission (commission) to reduce certain emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) generated by upstream oil and gas operations in certain areas of the state by 50% by 2030 relative to 2017 NOx emission levels. Section 3 requires the division to prepare an annual air quality enforcement benchmark report to summarize the division's statewide enforcement actions, including civil penalties assessed. Section 3 also provides that a compliance order issued by the division may include, in addition to civil penalties, a requirement to perform one or more projects to reduce the potential for a recurrence of a violation. Under current law, the division or commission, in an enforcement action, cannot obtain a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction if there is probable cause that the temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction would cause serious harm to the person affected by the temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction or to another person or if the source to which the enforcement action pertains has obtained a renewable operating permit and continues operations in compliance with that permit. Section 4 repeals those limitations on temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions. Section 4 also authorizes a district attorney or the attorney general to seek injunctive relief to reduce the potential for a recurrence of a violation. Sections 5 and 6 clarify that the division has authority to impose civil penalties for violations of requirements related to toxic air contaminants, fenceline and community-based monitoring, and, if enacted in House Bill 24-1338, petroleum refinery emissions monitoring. Section 7 authorizes the division, in considering permit applications for new sources of NOx emissions in disproportionately impacted communities in an ozone nonattainment area, to consider more stringent methods of regulating the sources. Section 9 authorizes the director of the energy and carbon management commission (ECMC) to hire at least 2 community liaisons to serve as dedicated resources for disproportionately impacted communities, and section 13 authorizes funding of the community liaison positions from the energy and carbon management cash fund. Under current law, an oil and gas operator (operator) is required to obtain a permit from the ECMC to commence oil and gas drilling operations. Section 10 requires the operator to also obtain from the ECMC a license to conduct oil and gas operations. Section 10 also requires operators to take actions in accordance with ECMC rules to reduce certain emissions of NOx generated from oil and gas production and preproduction operations. The ECMC is also required, in consultation with the department, to adopt rules to require enhanced systems and practices to avoid, minimize, and mitigate emissions of ozone precursors from oil and gas operations at newly permitted oil and gas locations in certain parts of the state. Section 11 limits a court's authority to postpone the effective date of an ECMC order suspending or revoking an operator's license to conduct oil and gas operations or a certificate of clearance, requiring the court to first consider various factors, including whether the moving party would face real, immediate, and irreparable injury if the effective date is not postponed and the effect that such postponement would have on the public interest. Section 12 expands the ECMC's enforcement authority to include revoking an operator's license to conduct oil and gas operations and expands the types of violations that are subject to suspension of all of the operator's permits and certificates of clearance and the operator's license to conduct oil and gas operations to include violations resulting in a penalty of $1,000,000 or more; violations that cause a major adverse impact, as defined by the ECMC by rule; and violations that cause death or serious bodily injury. Section 14 expands the scope of the orphaned wells mitigation enterprise to help finance the plugging, reclamation, and remediation of marginal wells that are at the highest risk of becoming orphaned. Section 15 appropriates $753,157 in state fiscal year 2024-25 from the general fund to the department for expenses related to regulating stationary sources and for legal services. APPROVED by Governor May 16, 2024 EFFECTIVE May 16, 2024(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Bill Sponsors (4)

Votes


Actions


May 16, 2024

Office of the Governor

Governor Signed

May 10, 2024

Office of the Governor

Sent to the Governor

House

Signed by the Speaker of the House

May 09, 2024

Senate

Signed by the President of the Senate

May 06, 2024

Senate

Senate Considered House Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass

House

House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

May 05, 2024

House

House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee

House

House Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole

  • Committee-Passage
  • Referral-Committee
House Committee of the Whole Appropriations

May 04, 2024

House

House Committee on Finance Refer Amended to Appropriations

  • Referral-Committee
Appropriations Finance

House

Introduced In House - Assigned to Finance

  • Introduction
Finance

Senate

Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

May 03, 2024

Senate

Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee

Senate

Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to Senate Committee of the Whole

  • Committee-Passage
  • Referral-Committee
Senate Committee of the Whole Appropriations

May 02, 2024

Senate

Senate Committee on Finance Refer Unamended to Appropriations

  • Referral-Committee
Finance Appropriations

Apr 30, 2024

Senate

Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Finance

  • Introduction
Finance

Bill Text

Bill Text Versions Format
Signed Act (05/16/2024) PDF
Final Act (05/10/2024) PDF
Rerevised (05/06/2024) PDF
Revised (05/05/2024) PDF
Reengrossed (05/04/2024) PDF
Engrossed (05/03/2024) PDF
Introduced (04/30/2024) PDF
PA2 (05/05/2024) PDF
PA1 (05/03/2024) PDF
Committee Amendment PDF

Related Documents

Document Format
Fiscal Note SA1 (05/02/2024) PDF
Fiscal Note SA2 (05/04/2024) PDF
Fiscal Note FN1 (05/01/2024) PDF
Fiscal Note FN2 (05/04/2024) PDF
Fiscal Note FN3 (07/08/2024) PDF

Sources

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