Air Quality Trends

Because a couple of decades have passed since the rapid rise in oil and gas development began in the United States, HEI’s Energy Research Committee sought research to understand trends in air quality over this period in major oil- and natural gas-producing regions of the United States. Three studies are now underway to assess air quality trends in the Marcellus region, Texas, and Colorado. To the extent feasible, investigators will assess whether oil and gas development or other factors might explain any observed trends.