5F52C9A99EC377DB87258273005B03CF Hearing Summary

Senator Lundberg and Senator Cooke, co-prime sponsors, discussed the provisions of Senate Bill 18-226 concerning Colorado's involvement in climate alliances.  This bill prohibits the Governor from entering into a state-level climate collaboration that attempts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions or otherwise promote the goals of the Paris Agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.  If the Governor has already entered into a state-level climate collaboration, the bill requires the Governor to withdraw from the collaboration and cease all executive branch activities in conjunction with the collaboration.

 

Senator Lundberg and Senator Cooke responded to questions from the committee about the provisions of the bill and the effect of carbon dioxide emissions on climate change. They also discussed the powers of the Governor of Colorado and the objectives of the U.S. Climate Alliance.

Amelia Myers, Conservation Colorado, spoke in opposition to the bill and discussed the impact of climate change on Colorado including its economy and water supply.  She also responded to questions from the committee about the effect of the bill on Colorado's ability to address climate change.

Jeff Neuman-Lee, representing himself, spoke in opposition to the bill and expressed concern about the impact of climate change.  He also responded to questions from the committee about media coverage of climate change and the possibility of future ice ages.

Marie Venner, Colorado Interfaith Power and Light, spoke in opposition to the bill and discussed the scientific consensus on the cause of global warming. She also responded to questions from the committee about the appropriate level of carbon in the atmosphere and the measurement of historic carbon levels.

Dr, Jan Douglas, Sierra Club, spoke in opposition to the bill.

Reverend Peter Sawtell, Eco Justice Ministries, spoke in opposition to the bill.

Leslie Glustrom, representing herself, spoke in opposition to the bill and discussed the Governor's powers to address climate change and discussed the impact of climate change.  She explained why some scientists in the 1970s believed an ice age was coming in the near future.  She also distributed a map showing global temperature changes from 1981 to 2010 [Attachment C] and responded to questions from the committee about how to change people's oppinion about the threat of climate change and trends in the cost of renewable energy.

Jan Rose, representing herself, spoke in oppostion to the bill and distributed a copy of her testimony [Attachment D]. She also responded to questions from the committee about the economic benefits of addressing climate change.