CSU prepared to study emissions from drilling ops

Garfield County commissioners are set to hear from Colorado State University researchers Monday about a proposal to study emissions from natural gas operations.

Some residents in the Battlement Mesa community are worried that nearby drilling is exposing them to hazardous substances. County officials say research is needed to fill gaps in what is known about air emissions and the impacts of natural gas extraction near residential communities.

At the county commissioners’ meeting Monday, Colorado State University researchers and Air Resource Specialists Inc. plan to propose a three-year study of emissions.

CSU says the proposed study would review the well development process from drilling to completion, including the use of hydraulic fracturing. Researchers plan to have a diverse panel of air quality experts from federal and state agencies advise them.