I_LICOAQ_2023A 12/08/2023 10:11:29 AM Committee Summary

The committee held public testimony on general feedback and legislative suggestions.



Ms. Kirsten Schatz, representing Colorado Public Interest Research Group, testified. Emma Ragona, representing themself, testified. Ms. Lauren Swain, representing Physicians for Social Responsibility Colorado, testified.

Dr. Eugenia Miller, representing Physicians for Social Responsibility Colorado, testified.

Ms. Jan Rose, representing Colorado Coalition for a Livable Climate (CCLC), testified. City Councilor Katherine Goff, representing Colorado Communities for Climate Action, testified.

Weld County Commissioner Scott James, representing Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, testified. Commissioner Matt Scherr, representing Counties & Commissioners Acting Together (CCAT), testified. Rebecca Curry, representing Earthjustice, testified. Patricia Garcia-Nelson, representing GreenLatinos, testified. The committee asked questions regarding why ozone has not improved, what Weld County is doing to address factors contributing to ozone, where the Department of Public Health and Environment is falling short in regards to regulations, background ozone, and cost-benefit analysis of ozone pollution to communities.

Trisha Oeth, Director of Environmental Health and Protection, and Michael Ogletree, Director of Air Pollution Control Division, with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment gave a presentation to the committee. The presentation can be found here: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committees/12-8-2023_cdphe_presentation.pdf.



Director Oeth started the presentation with an overview of legislative recommendations, upcoming budget requests, and the Governor's Directive to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions.



The presentation continued with information on December 2023 Ozone rulemakings by the department, 2024 rulemaking hearings, Environmental Protection Agency rules being implemented, and minor source modeling. Director Oeth concluded the presentation with information on air pollution penalty revenue and shared goals to improve air quality.

The committee began the questions and answers portion of the presentation. The committee asked questions regarding modeling and minor sources, pre-production modeling, actions taken after large emitting events, best practices in fracking in non-attainment areas, vehicle inspections, staffing, local governments and monitoring, and permitting.

The committee continued to ask questions regarding revenue from air pollution penalty, goals for being in non-attainment, and rapid response teams and complaints.

Will Toor, Executive Director, Colorado Energy Office gave a presentation to the committee. The presentation can be found here: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committees/ceo-_transportation_electrification_12.8.23.pdf.



Director Toor started the presentation with an overview of the greenhouse gas pollution reduction roadmap and reduction goals. The presentation continued with information on the Colorado 2023 electric vehicle plan, projected carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from electricity generation, key actions in the electric vehicle plan, charging infrastructure programs, eBike programs, the Community Accelerated Mobility Program, and educational campaigns.

The presentation continued with information on electrification infrastructure including electrification needs.

The committee asked a number of questions including questions on the greenhouse gas pollution reduction roadmap, wind and solar development and emissions projections.

The committee discussed what they learned, thoughts upon the conclusion of the committee, and other topics.