The Department of Environmental Quality is considering new regulations for the energy industry in Sublette County, in order to address the ozone problem there.

Ozone is a component in smog and can lead to health problems. In Sublette County, it’s caused by emissions from the oil and gas industry.

DEQ’s air quality administrator, Steve Dietrich, says one area they want to focus on is older production equipment that predates the current emissions rules. 

Dietrich says it’s important to find ways to retrofit or replace the older, dirtier equipment, “to re-examine permits, if you will – permitted facilities – to revisit what control measures can be put in place to reduce emissions further from those existing operating facilities.”

Dietrich says they’re also considering imposing tougher emissions controls on new equipment.

In addition to proposed new rules, the DEQ is continuing to encourage energy companies to undertake voluntary measures to reduce emissions.