Public Hearing on flaring June 29
Comment on permits issued under new DEQ air-quality order
June 29, 2005
The Wyoming state Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will be holding a public hearing in Pinedale on Wednesday, June 29th, to hear comments about concerns over smoke and air quality from flaring from natural gas rig wells around Pinedale.
Flaring is done to burn off contaminated natural gas as part of finishing new wells. The process produces columns of black smoke which has caused concern by some for impacts on air quality. In response to vocal objections about air quality degradation due to the process from environmentalists and some local citizens, some companies have switched to alternative ways to clean gas with out flaring.
DEQ decided to regulate flaring in response to rapid oil and natural gas development and more wells being put into operation. The purpose of DEQ’s meeting in Pinedale is to seek public comment on the first ten permits that would be issued under the new air-quality program.
The Wyoming Air Quality Advisory Board will meet on Thursday, June 30th, at 9 am at the library in Pinedale.
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