31D19A9FFC39067A87258A3D006A04CA Hearing Summary

PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For SOUTHWEST ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECT

INTERIM COMMITTEE TRANSPORTATION LEGISLATION REVIEW COMMITTEE
Date Oct 3, 2023
Location Old State Library

Southwest Energy Efficiency Project - Committee Discussion Only

Attachment Tag

File Name

AttachmentFSWEEP Presentation.pdf

01:18:02 PM

Matt Frommer, representing
the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, provided information about greenhouse
gas (GHG) emissions plans (Attachment F).

01:19:04 PM

Mr. Frommer presented
information on Colorado's climate targets. He mentioned that Colorado
will surpass the 2025 transportation GHG target by 9.3 million metric tons.
Mr. Frommer said that to meet the 2030 target transportation emissions
would need bo be cut by 45 percent between 2025 and 2030.

01:20:18 PM

Mr. Frommer suggested
that Colorado is not on track to meet GHG emission targets. He said
that the state needs to do more, and that while the state has adopted policies,
those policies need to be more focused.

01:21:01 PM

Mr. Frommer suggested
methods to cut pollution, inlcuding electrifying all systems; building
a connected multimodal transportation system; developing smart land use
policies; and providing less funding for highway expansion. He suggested
that vehicle electrification and lowering vehicle miles traveled will assist
Colorado in meeting climate goals.

01:22:22 PM

Mr. Frommer clarified
that electrification is important, but insufficient on it's own. He
said that it takes some time to replace a fleet.

01:23:24 PM

There was a discussion
about the benefits of the Colorado Department of Transportion (CDOT) GHG
planning rule, including saving $11 billion on vehicle operating costs;
$19 billion on safety or crashes; $9 billion on traffic delays; $270 million
on air pollution; $1.2 billion on the social cost of carbon; and $618 million
on physical activity.

01:24:34 PM

Mr. Frommer talked
about those using non-auto travel.

01:25:45 PM

There was a dicsussion
about the effects of the Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law on GHG.

01:26:10 PM

Induced travel was
discussed, including larger roads and more traffic.

01:27:58 PM

Mr. Frommer talked
about the I-25 valley expansion, near downtown. He mentioned that
the project has shifted, since original plans could increase GHG emissions.
Mr. Frommer said that the project may now focus on safety, bridge
enhancements, and other items.

01:29:02 PM

Mr. Frommer talked
about focusing on land use to reduce GHG. He said that clustered
development means that drivers take shorter trips.

01:30:37 PM

There was a discussion
about how the transportation sector is complying with the GHG emission
rule. Mr. Frommer talked about less highway widening and more bus
rapid transit; land use and parking management; and road design about methods
to address compliance.

01:31:45 PM

Mr. Frommer mentioned
that Colorado ranks 44 in the nation for transit funding.

01:32:37 PM

In closing, Mr. Frommer
recommended the following to improve the standard and make it more effective:
strengthen targets in the rule and supplement with reductions in vehicle
miles traveled; require transportation agencies to re-examine and revisit
projects in their queues to ensure that they align with current goals and
reductions; develop a standard approch to calculate induced travel and
continually improve modeling; require local governments to participate
by looking at land use and reductions in GHG; develop a transportation
equity index; explore addressing the cost of driving to account for social
and environmental impacts; and take Vision Zero seriously by improving
pedestrian and bicylce safety.

Southwest Energy Efficiency Project - Committee Discussion Only

Colorado General Assembly