Colorado efforts over the last six years have reduced volatile organic compound emissions by half in the Denver Metro/North Front Range area. Colorado Oil and Gas Association member companies operating in the nonattainment area are participating in a voluntary ozone-focused program. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment confirmed that the levels of ozone have improved in the region, even as the population has steadily increased.

Alpine Silica plans to build two fracture sand mine facilities to serve customers in Texas and Oklahoma. The Kermit, TX-based firm, which already owns and operates one plant in West Texas with 3 million tons/year of capacity, plans to build a second plant in Van Horn, TX, and a third in Fay, OK, each with 3 million tons/year of capacity. Nearly 51 million tons of reserves are being added for the Fay project. No financial details were provided.