DENVER—Hours
ago, the Colorado senate voted to give Colorado more authority to
protect air quality and public health. At a press conference yesterday,
bill sponsor Senator Dan Grossman, explained why this legislation is so
important.
“At this time, Colorado is prohibited by state law from exceeding
federal minimum air quality protections,” said Senator Grossman.
“HB-1309 will give Colorado the right to continue to protect our
children’s lungs, the elderly and the millions of Coloradans who work
and play in the great outdoors, even when officials in Washington DC
weaken existing air quality laws.”
Colorado’s
push for more local control over minimum air quality standards comes in
the aftermath of federal rollbacks that would weaken Colorado’s air
quality laws. Recent proposals include rule changes that would allow
dirty industries and power plants to emit more air pollution, including
mercury and smog forming pollutants into Colorado’s air and the
residents of Colorado’s lungs and set soot standards at levels
insufficient to protect public health.
“Colorado
has the second highest incidence of asthma of any state in the nation
and more than 175,000 people in this state are living with chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease,” said Curt Huber, Chief Executive
Officer of the American Lung Association of Colorado. “The last thing
we need is more pollutants in our air.”
Today’s
vote takes HB-1309 one step closer to becoming law. However, the Senate
must still give its final seal of approval to HB-1309. Then, the house
must approve minor language changes before sending it to Governor
Owen’s desk.
“Today’s
vote is a major step forward for Clean Air in Colorado. Sen. Grossman,
and every senator who stood for clean air today deserves our thanks,”
said Isaac Silverman of Environment Colorado. “Today the Senate made a
clear statement, that no matter what happens in Washington D.C,
Colorado should be allowed to maintain current protections.”
Colorado
already struggles with mercury, smog, and haze pollution. Colorado’s
Mesa Verde National Park recorded the third highest atmospheric mercury
concentration in the nation in 2003 and so much mercury washes out of
our air the fish from 6 lakes in Colorado are unsafe to eat. Colorado
exceeded federal health standards for ozone (smog) 60 times in 2003 and
areas across the state still struggle to meet minimum standards. Haze
obscures views throughout Colorado. Particulate pollution, commonly
known as soot, damages health and our tourist economy.
HB-1309
would allow the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission to preserve
current clean air protections when the federal rule changes would
weaken standards or allow increased emissions. A broad coalition of
public health and professionals and advocates, local governments, faith
groups, agricultural organizations, labor unions, sportsmen, and
environmental organizations have rallied behind the bill.
List of Endorsers:
Agricultural Groups:
Colorado Corn Growers
Rocky Mountain Farmers Union
Anglers:
Colorado Trout Unlimited
Labor:
Building and Construction Trades Council
Religious Groups:
Colorado Council of Churches
Diocese of Pueblo, Office of Social Justice
Eco-Justice Ministries
Public Health Advocates:
Public Health Directors of Colorado (PHDoC)
American Lung of Colorado
Breathe Better Foundation
Colorado Asthma Coalition
Local Governments:
San Juan Basin Health Department
Boulder County
City of Aspen
City of Boulder
City and County of Denver
City of Ft. Collins
City of Telluride
Costilla County
Public Interest and Environmental Organizations:
Coloradoans for Clean Air
Colorado Environmental Coalition
Colorado Progressive Coalition
CoPIRG
Environment Colorado
National Parks Conservation Association-
Northern Rockies Region
Sierra Club, Rocky Mountain Chapter
Western Colorado Congress
