Article originally printed in The Clarion.   A Western Colorado Congress newsletter release

By Sid Lindauer, Parachute

Large compressor stations that operate 24 hours every day are beginning to arrive on the scene in western
Colorado — and they are here to stay. Rather than have a small compressor at each gas well location, as
has been the practice in the past, these new larger facilities may have several compressors at one location.
Such a facility is more easily maintained and, hence, more cost effective.
While this type of new facility makes economic sense, having one next door has some very negative
consequences. I know, because I have ten large com-pressor stations located right next door to my ranch.

EIGHT AS LOUD AS TEN At times maybe only eight of these compressors are in operation. However, most people would not to be
able to discern a difference in noise. A group of seven compressors range in distance from  3500 to 4000
feet from my residence. Not only does the noise reach my house, but the noise has literally obliterated the
serenity of the lower Parachute valley.
Quietness has been taken for granted in this area for years. I know, because we have been in this area for
over fifty years. The noise is especially annoying during the evening, night, and on weekends when the
other background noise in the valley is low.
The noise in our front yard is continuous, inescapable and very offensive.
Often the industry’s first response to a noise complaint is to change the type of muffler on the compressor’s
engine, or construct a barrier between the object radiating the noise and the people objecting to the noise.
However, the problem is not that easy to resolve. Much time and money can be spent with very little
noise relief realized if the problem is pursued along these lines.
Noise is not a single sound, but made up of many different frequencies. The higher frequencies are more
responsive to being reduced by building enclosures, while the lower frequencies will penetrate most
materials, and go over and around sound walls. The lower frequency noise can be reduced if sound walls
are properly design. PERMIT PROCESS BYPASSED In the summer of 2002, we noticed some construction activities to the north of us near the Williams
Energy’s compressor facility. In the fall of 2002 we begin to hear additional noise from this area. Upon a
closer examination, we were shocked to discover that EnCana Oil & Gas had set up two large compressors,
and had just begun operations.
As a neighbor, I immediately wanted to know why we were not informed. Upon a check with Garfield
Building and Planning, I found no Special Use Permit had been issued prior to this construction. According
to the county zoning, it appears that a permit should have been required.
I have been communicating with the companies to have them resolve the noise problem. Both companies
have promised compressor engine noise abatement, but it is unclear how or if they will abate the cooling
fan (low frequency rumble) noise. EnCana claims they have quiet compressor engines and the guards in
front of the cooling fans reduce the low frequency noise. They also say that they are well below state noise
limits, and that the noise is all being caused by Williams’ compressors.
For gas development companies to resolve their noise problems by hiding behind the state law is gross
negligence of the problem. First, the state law is the maximum allowable noise limits, and it does not deal
with the noise created by modern compressors stations. The state law says nothing about continuous low
frequency noise created by the cooling fans, nor does it address noise in rural areas (noise levels are set for
residential and industrial areas, there are no standards for rural areas). SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM So how is noise pollution best resolved? The technology that deals with noise problems is well established.
However, it appears that literature dealing with this subject has not been utilized, simply ignored, or
deemed to costly to follow.
A 35-page report, “Compression Facility Noise Guidelines for Colorado Oil and Commission,” on noise
from large compressor stations was published in 1998, but only recently distributed on a limited basis by the
Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC.)
I have read the report; the guidelines outlined are good. However, the bottom line in noise abatement -
whether it be a compression station or otherwise - is to utilize an expert in this field. The gas developing
companies have been known to guess, or use in-house petroleum engineering to mitigate sound problems.
The report points out that the use of an acoustical engineer can be cost-effective, especially in the design
phase of the gas facilities. The report also points out that, during the conceptual and design phase of these
facilities, a proactive communication approach with the local residents and governing bodies is very
important.  Despite this admission, communication has been woefully lacking with the gas developing
companies.

RECENT RULE CHANGE

After I protested several times to the companies, Garfield County and the Colorado Oil and Gas
Conservation Commission (COGCC) about compressor station noise, the COGCC made specific changes in
their rules on December 2, 2002. The appearance and timing of the rule changes would indicate that the
COGCC would like authority and regulation over noise, and are reluctant to have Western Colorado
counties have any authority over compressor stations.
The release of the above-mentioned report is evidently associated with the rule changes, and may be
indicative as to how the COGCC proposes to deal with future noise problems!
The proper regulatory agency to deal with the noise problems from compressor stations is the county.
After all, the people in Garfield County are being impacted by the noise. It is not a statewide issue, yet. We
are concerned not only about being smothered with noise, but also with the effects that noise has on our
property values.
A study was done by LaPlata County in October 2002 on the impact of gas development its effects on
property values. The study found that if a well is drilled on a lot, the property value declines 22%. If the
lot has a noise problem, the value would drop even further.
Not all industry in our area ignores good environmental practices. American Soda operates a soda plant
just a few miles north of my ranch. They use equipment that generates much more noise than the gas
companies; however, it is well contained in buildings, and noise has not been a problem.
Also, American Soda has made an effort to inform us about their problems, and they react quickly to
address  problems in the community. Their efforts are appreciated; I wish the gas industry would follow
their lead.