A new study shows that changes
to Colorado's clean air rules will increase air pollution and health problems.
The report, titled "Stop
The Rollbacks: Cleaner, Healthier Air For Colorado," finds that Colorado
could see over 25,000 more tons of air pollution each year if the changes are
approved by the state legislature. The coalition that released the report—including
American Lung Association of Colorado and Environmental Defense - is calling
on the legislature to reject these rollbacks.
"These changes will result in more air pollution, which means that more people
might suffer from lung disease illnesses in Colorado," said Manisha Blair of
the American Lung Association of Colorado.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has identified the entire Front Range
region from Castle Rock to Fort Collins as failing to meet federal health-based
air quality standards for smog. Numerous studies in recent years have linked
smog levels to school absences, increased asthma rates, and long-term lung damage
in children.
"Colorado should be strengthening—not weakening—clean air safeguards to protect
children from harmful summertime smog, to clean up Denver's brown cloud, and
to cut the haze that pollutes Colorado's scenic vistas," said Cindy Copeland
of Environmental Defense.
The new rules were initially approved last year by the Colorado Air Quality
Control Commission (AQCC), and now go to the state legislature for final consideration.
New Source Review has long required that aging, high-polluting industrial facilities
upgrade their air pollution control equipment when they expand operations and
increase pollution in surrounding neighborhoods.
Several Colorado local governments opposed the Commission's adoption of the
changes due to concerns about the adverse impacts on local air quality. These
governments included: Boulder County, Denver City and County, Broomfield City
and County, Aspen, San Juan Basin, San Miguel County, and Telluride. The Pueblo
City-County Health Department recently joined this coalition.
"The state legislature should throw out these rollbacks," said Justin Dawe,
an air quality analyst with Environment Colorado. "Colorado is working hard
to come up with a plan to meet its air quality responsibilities, but these rollbacks
undermine that effort by the rest of the state."
Manisha Blair, American Lung Association of Colorado:
(303) 847-0271
Cindy Copeland, Environmental Defense: (303)447-7217
