Colorado regulators have unanimously approved natural gas and oil emissions standards, increasing oversight on the state’s exploration and production (E&P) companies.

The Colorado Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) rules define how E&Ps will calculate greenhouse gas intensity and how to monitor operations. The rules are expected to provide an accurate ratio of a facility’s emissions over the amount of fuel produced. 

The rules were created with input from the energy industry and environmentalist groups. The American Petroleum Institute (API) and Colorado Oil and Gas Association (COGA) said in a joint statement that the regulations would allow the industry to “build on…ongoing innovation while preserving the flexibility needed to adopt emerging and evolving technology....