Only a day after federal regulators issued a final rule aimed at reducing carbon pollution, factions across Colorado split Tuesday, with some calling for a lawsuit, while others advocated for forging ahead.
Colorado is now charged with developing a state-specific plan to satisfy the Environmental Protection Agency’s target. Carbon-dioxide emissions must be reduced by 28 percent in Colorado and 32 percent nationally by 2030. It was originally thought that a target of 35 percent would be set for Colorado because the state is already on track to meet that goal.
Right-leaning groups are pushing for Republican Attorney General Cynthia Coffman to join other states in suing to block the federal mandate. Republican state lawmakers are also pushing for Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat, to submit a plan to the Legislature for approval. A similar effort failed in the Legislature this year. Republicans may be back next year with an effort to at least require approval from the Public Utilities Commission.
But Bruce Baizel, the Durango-based energy program director for environmental group Earthworks, is mystified by the fact that those on the right would want to make it difficult to develop a state-specific plan.
“It’s kind of crazy for conservatives to be doing that because the default position is if you don’t submit a plan, then the feds will do it for you,” Baizel said.
State health officials say they will launch a stakeholder process. A state-specific plan will be submitted next summer.
A spokesman for Coffman said it is premature to suggest that she would join the state in a lawsuit, noting that she is reviewing the rule. In a statement, Coffman said the plan “raises significant concerns,” suggesting “unrealistic emissions requirements and timelines.”
“As I put the best interests of Colorado first, it may become necessary to join other states in challenging President Obama’s authority under the Clean Air Act,” Coffman said.
Supporters of the rule, however, point out that Colorado is already largely on its way to meeting the requirements.
“Fortunately, here in Colorado, we have 10-plus years of successfully reducing carbon pollution while expanding our economy,” said Carrie Curtiss, deputy director for Conservation Colorado. “The new EPA standards will allow us to continue our leadership, advancing clean-energy solutions and tackling the most pressing issue of our time, climate change.”
pmarcus@durangoherald.com