What is air pollution?
Air pollution is gases or particles in the air that can be harmful to our health or the environment. The significant pollutants include carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particulate matter and sulfur dioxide. How does Colorado Springs Utilities monitor air quality?
Since 1976, we have worked with the State of Colorado to operate a comprehensive system of monitors to measure the affects of population growth, energy production and increased transportation on air quality in the region. The Environmental Protection Agency approved equipment and procedures are used to measure significant pollutants. We partner with the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments to report this information to the community. How can we tell if the air is clean and healthy to breathe?
The EPA has given us standards and guidelines to help us figure that out. The EPA has a list of pollutants that can be harmful if we breathe them and they have established levels, or standards, for each of these pollutants that should not be exceeded. These standards are referred to as National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The Pikes Peak region is in attainment with NAAQS for all EPA criteria air quality pollutants – carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particulate matter and sulfur dioxide. What is Colorado Springs Utilities doing to reduce pollutants?
Power Plants: With the need for continued reliance upon fossil fuels, our efforts continue to operate in a manner to reduce emissions and harmful pollutants. We are committed to current and future technologies that reduce pollutants and greenhouse gases. We currently use low-NOx burners, lowsulfur coal and high-efficiency baghouses for particulate removal at our coal-burning power plants. Additional controls are planned and will be consistent with applicable laws and implementation of regulations to address regional haze and visibility impacts to class 1 federal areas, including national parks Due to the efficiency of baghouse pollution controls, our Ray Nixon and Martin Drake power plants typically operate at 10 percent of particulate emissions limits. A portion of our electric generation is supplied by natural gas and renewable sources, such as hydroelectric power, which have lower to no emissions. We're also testing the use of waste wood products (biomass) as a possible supplemental fuel source for the generation of electricity at the Martin Drake Power Plant. Wastewater: Odor-related air emissions from the Las Vegas Wastewater Treatment Plant are removed by a media-based pollution control system to help ensure that wastewater operations are compatible with homes and businesses in the Hillside neighborhood. Our newest facility, J.D. Phillips Water Reclamation Facility, which opened in 2007, is equipped with state-of-the-art odor control, including covered basins to address similar concerns. Fleet: With about 2,500 vehicles burning alternative fuels -- including hybrids, flex-fuel E-85 and bio-diesel -- we were named one of the top 50 green fleets in the nation by Government Fleet magazine in January 2008. What can I do to help maintain the air quality?
The best thing you can do is keep your car or truck tuned-up and have the emissions checked regularly. Although recent improvements in engine designs have improved carbon monoxide emissions from automobiles, the majority of air quality concerns are related to motor vehicles. Using public transportation and non-motorized travel (bicycles, walking, in-line skates, skateboards, etc.) are encouraged to help curb vehicle emissions. Maintaining gasoline powered lawn equipment also helps maintain air quality. Related links | 
