DENVER— The Center for Biological Diversity sued the Environmental Protection Agency today to force it to require Colorado to limit pollution from drilling and hydraulic fracturing for oil and methane gas in the Metro Denver area and the Denver Julesburg basin.

“We’re never going to solve our smog problem until the EPA cracks down on Colorado allowing unlimited air pollution from drilling and fracking,” said Robert Ukeiley, a senior attorney at the Center. “If it takes a lawsuit to bring about that fix, that’s what we are going to do.”

The Denver Metro/North Front Range area has levels of ozone, commonly referred to as smog, well above the EPA’s science-based standards set to protect public health and Colorado’s natural splendor. The state’s Air Pollution Control Division was required to submit to the EPA a plan to clean up the smog.

The EPA approved that plan even after the Center pointed out a loophole that allows unlimited air pollution from drilling and fracking. The oil and methane gas industry is one of the biggest contributors to smog in Colorado.

Ozone pollution is linked to human health problems like asthma attacks and can cause premature death. Those most at risk include older adults, children, people with asthma and other lung disease, and people who exercise or work outdoors.

“Every additional day of delay in reducing smog puts more children and families at risk for potentially deadly diseases,” said Ukeiley.

Ozone also damages Colorado’s parks and natural areas including aspen trees.

For more information about the fight against air pollution, please visit Protecting Air Quality Under the Clean Air Act.