Environment

The Environmental Protection Agency's new air pollution rules for the oil and gas industry may seem like odd timing, as President Obama has been trying to deflect Republican criticism that he overregulates energy industries. But the rules weren't the Obama administration's idea.

Several years ago, communities in Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming complained about air pollution from natural gas booms in their local areas.

The governor’s task force studying oil and gas regulations in Colorado is recommending that state regulators work collaboratively with local governments to solve drilling disputes, but the final report sent to Governor Hickenlooper Wednesday stops short of recommending any new legislation.

The Environmental Protection Agency has issued a final rule that requires companies to control air emissions at oil and gas wells that are drilled using the process of hydraulic fracturing.