Colorado
It took 50 years but Colorado finally met federal standards to lower carbon monoxide pollution
![It took 50 years but Colorado finally met federal standards to lower carbon monoxide pollution It took 50 years but Colorado finally met federal standards to lower carbon monoxide pollution](https://scx2.b-cdn.net/gfx/news/hires/2018/trafficjam.jpg)
Five Colorado cities hit a benchmark for reducing carbon monoxide in the air and now Colorado will ask the Environmental Protection Agency to release it from federal oversight for monitoring those emissions.
It would be the first time in nearly 50 years that Colorado would not be under federal oversight for carbon monoxide emissions that largely were caused by heavy rush hour traffic and cars made without catalytic converters. On Thursday, the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission voted to remove federal oversight and repeal monitoring requirements. The Environmental Protection Agency must approve the plan.
“Colorado experienced high levels of carbon monoxide pollution in the 1970s and 1980s, and this milestone shows how far we’ve come in protecting and improving air quality for all Coloradans,” commission chairman Patrick Cummins said.
In the 1970s, Colorado Springs, Denver, Greeley, Longmont and Fort Collins were plagued by high carbon monoxide emissions, mostly from automobile exhaust. Throughout the decade, the region exceeded federal standards for carbon monoxide more than 100 times with most of those violations happening during daily rush hours.
Those cities were placed under Environmental Protection Agency oversight to reduce carbon monoxide, an odorless, tasteless gas that can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea and chest pain, and can exacerbate pre-existing conditions such as heart diseases.
Colorado was able to reduce carbon monoxide in the air as more automakers installed catalytic converters in cars and trucks and by using gasoline that burned cleaner. The state also started requiring auto emissions inspections.
In 1999, the state hit the federal standard for carbon monoxide emissions but it was required to stay in compliance for 20 years. It is now 80% lower than the federal standard and has stayed that way, allowing the federal oversight to be relaxed.
But that doesn’t mean the Denver Metro area and northern Front Range are in the clear. Nor will it stop finding ways to reduce carbon monoxide pollution, which also is created by oil and gas production.
The region is still considered in severe violation of National Ambient Air Quality standards for ground-level ozone pollution and measures continue to be in place to reduce nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds—the two ingredients that form smog on hot summer days.
Still, commissioners found the success in reducing carbon monoxide encouraging.
“Hopefully, it will inspire us to tackle the outstanding challenges that we have,” Commissioner Elise Jones said. “We can see that it is possible to achieve them.”
2024 MediaNews Group, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Citation:
It took 50 years but Colorado finally met federal standards to lower carbon monoxide pollution (2024, August 19)
retrieved 19 August 2024
from https://phys.org/news/2024-08-years-colorado-met-federal-standards.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no
part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.
![](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/np-logo.png)
Colorado
US Plans to Limit Water Usage from Colorado River
![US Plans to Limit Water Usage from Colorado River US Plans to Limit Water Usage from Colorado River](https://gdb.voanews.com/019e0000-0aff-0242-027e-08da7f0b429e_cx0_cy5_cw0_w1200_r1.jpg)
The U.S. government plans to reduce the amount of Colorado River water several states are permitted to use next year.
The river supplies water to seven Western states, more than 20 Native American tribes, and two states in Mexico.
Those states and the country of Mexico are also considering plans for how to share the water after 2026. That is when many current rules and agreements about the use of Colorado River water will come to an end.
The river brings water to millions of hectares of farmland in the American West. Hydroelectric dams on the river produce power. Experts say increased water use, combined with rising temperatures and dry weather, are the reasons for the need to make cuts.
In 2007, following years of dry weather, the U.S. states in the river’s basin and the federal government agreed to rules to help deal with lower water levels. The states involved were Arizona, Nevada, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.
Those rules determine when some of the states must cut their water usage based on levels at Lake Mead. The lake is on the border of Nevada and Arizona. It provides water for hydropower, farming, and other needs.
Because of the need for new rules, states, Native American tribes, and others are forming new plans to deal with even deeper water cuts that might happen in 2026.
The federal government will announce water cuts for 2025 based on levels at Lake Mead. If Lake Mead drops below a level that has been agreed to, Arizona, California, Nevada and Mexico will face cuts. However, California might not face cuts because the current rules give that state special water rights.
Last year, Arizona, California and Nevada agreed to save an extra 3 million acre-feet of water in addition to the cuts the federal government had already required. An “acre-foot” is equal to about 1.2 million liters. In return, the U.S. government agreed to pay water districts and other users for much of that reduction in water use.
Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming are in the river’s Upper Basin. Those states have not used all of the water the rules permit them to use. For this reason, they have not yet had to reduce the amount of water they take from the river.
Wet weather in 2023 and efforts to save water by Lower Basin states have increased the level of Lake Mead and Lake Powell. Lake Powell in Utah is another body of water that holds and releases water from the river.
However, experts say higher temperatures will continue to reduce water in the Colorado River in the coming years.
In March, Upper and Lower Basin states, tribes and environmental groups proposed plans to deal with likely water reductions in the future.
Arizona, California and Nevada asked the federal government to include water levels at other reservoirs besides Lake Mead and Lake Powell. Their plan says that if the whole system drops below 38 percent of the maximum amount of water it can hold, the Upper Basin and Mexico should share deeper cuts equally with the Lower Basin.
Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming want larger and sooner cuts when water is low at Lake Mead and Lake Powell. The cuts would affect California, Arizona and Nevada. Their plan does not call for reductions in how much water Upper Basin states use.
The federal government is expected to propose new rules by December. The rules would consider the different plans and possible steps for the future. Until then, states, tribes and other groups will continue negotiations on water.
I’m Andrew Smith. And I’m Anna Matteo.
Suman Naishadham wrote this story for The Associated Press. Andrew Smith adapted it for VOA Learning English.
________________________________________________
Words in This Story
basin –n. the area drained by a river
determine –v. to officially decide
acre-feet –n. a measure of volume used specifically in the United States for large-scale water use which is equal to about 1.2 million liters
district –n. a special area created by a government for a special purpose
reservoir –n. a body of water usually formed by a dam that is meant to be used as a water supply
Colorado
Canadian hiker who went missing in Colorado wilderness, rescued after 4 days – Times of India
![Canadian hiker who went missing in Colorado wilderness, rescued after 4 days – Times of India Canadian hiker who went missing in Colorado wilderness, rescued after 4 days – Times of India](https://static.toiimg.com/thumb/msid-112624149,width-1070,height-580,imgsize-763948,resizemode-75,overlay-toi_sw,pt-32,y_pad-40/photo.jpg)
undefined
Successful search and rescue operation
“Obviously, this is the outcome we were all hoping for, and we couldn’t be happier for Chase and her family,” said San Miguel County Sheriff Bill Masters in a statement.“The ultimate success of this mission is a real testament to our responders’ tenacity, perseverance, and dedication.”
Chase was part of a group on a retreat and departed on a solo journey around 11 am Wednesday. Group leaders discouraged participants from bringing cell phones on the solo hikes.
In addition, members were advised to fast “to maximize their experience with nature” before embarking on their quests.
Safety concerns highlighted by authorities
Chase was reported missing early Thursday afternoon when a group leader realised she had not returned to camp and could not be located.
“You should always bring technology for communications,” said Masters. “Furthermore, you should not starve yourself even if a ‘guide’ service suggests the opposite of these basic safety rules. Nature does not care about your safety and will kill you, especially if [you] are not properly prepared.”
The event was organised by the Animas Valley Institute, a business based in Durango, Colorado. Founded in 1980, the group promotes “a rich assortment of guided immersions into the mysteries of nature and psyche, including Soulcraft intensives, contemporary vision fasts, and training programs for nature-based soul guides” on its website.
Institute’s statement and commitment to safety
The group released a statement on its website that read in part: “The Animas Valley Institute has run backcountry programs in Colorado since 1980 with no serious incidents. The safety of our participants remains our highest priority. We have been in direct contact with the participant’s family during this immensely difficult time and remain committed to supporting them over the coming days and weeks.”
Colorado
Missing woman found alive and uninjured in southwestern Colorado
![Missing woman found alive and uninjured in southwestern Colorado Missing woman found alive and uninjured in southwestern Colorado](https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2024/08/18/ae29c609-c9cc-4724-a7bf-899dff98e573/thumbnail/1200x630/e787edccf90f582f6a3f6f069dc05ef8/d385aa5b627675e32a6dd09572491d14.jpg?v=d8f7565ef3e8b72561ee316b5993cbf9)
Watch CBS News
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.
-
Ohio6 days ago
Ohio taxpayers sent families $966 million for private school tuition: Capitol Letter
-
World7 days ago
What could an EU Commissioner do to tackle the housing crisis?
-
Politics1 week ago
Tim Walz 'misspoke' about using weapons ‘in war,' Harris campaign says: report
-
Politics1 week ago
Trump legal cases in limbo after SCOTUS immunity ruling, freeing up schedule to campaign
-
Politics1 week ago
GOP states sue to stop Biden admin extending Obamacare to illegal immigrants
-
News1 week ago
Photos: Family of Michael Brown Jr. marches on Ferguson 10 years later
-
News1 week ago
Cross-Tabs: August 2024 Times/Siena Poll of the Likely Electorate
-
Politics1 week ago
Secret Service apologizes after breaking into Massachusetts salon to use bathroom before Harris fundraiser