Colorado: Governor Polis: EPA Dismantling Clean Air Protections from Coal Power Plants Will Increase Energy Costs and Threaten Americans' Health

DENVER ~ Denver, CO - In response to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) recent announcement to eliminate limits on greenhouse gas emissions for coal- and natural gas-fired power plants, Governor Jared Polis has expressed his disappointment and concern.

Governor Polis stated, "What year is it? And how can such a backwards policy be coming forward now? Despite these harmful federal headwinds, Colorado is taking bold action to reach 100 percent low-cost clean energy, meet our climate goals, and reduce energy bills." He went on to explain that removing limits on coal pollution will lead to increased costs, poorer air quality, and negative health impacts. The governor emphasized that coal is the most expensive form of energy used in the state's grid and this decision by the EPA will only worsen the already existing issues of worsening fire seasons, droughts, and low water flows.

Jill Hunsaker Ryan, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment also expressed her concerns about the EPA's decision. "Clean air protections are public health protections. Coloradans are already feeling the health effects of air pollution, wildfire smoke, and high heat. Weakening limits on climate pollution moves us in the wrong direction, especially for communities already dealing with poor air," she said.

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The Colorado Energy Office Executive Director Will Toor added that the state is rapidly transitioning to affordable clean energy solutions in order to save money for its residents and protect its grid from unreliable coal power plants. "Through increased fuel costs and expensive investments in aging infrastructure, the Trump administration's attempts to save an obsolete fuel source such as coal will only drive up electricity prices across the country while contributing to harmful pollution," he stated.

The EPA's plan includes eliminating regulations on existing coal and new natural gas power plants that require on-site capture of carbon pollution. This would prevent its release into the air. However, according to Associated Press reports and data from the EPA itself, this move will result in higher costs, faster warming, and more illnesses such as asthma from pollution. It could also lead to more preventable deaths. The power plant rules were expected to reduce carbon emissions by nearly 1.4 billion metric tons by 2047.

This decision follows the Trump administration's repeal of a finding made almost two decades ago that climate-related emissions endanger public health. This finding formed the basis of several federal climate policies. The current administration has been targeting numerous environmental protections, including emissions limits on vehicles and trucks, mileage standards, and restrictions on hazardous pollutants like mercury.

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Governor Polis has been taking bold action to meet the state's climate goals. This includes signing legislation to create state-level limits on emissions from coal-fired power plants, boosting transit options, and implementing innovative technology like heat pumps, geothermal energy, and clean energy to save money for Colorado residents on their utility bills. As markets continue to transition towards lower-cost renewable energy sources and away from more expensive coal power, the Office of Just Transition within Colorado's Department of Labor and Employment is working to assist workers and communities that will be affected by job losses and revenue decreases.

In conclusion, Governor Polis and other state officials are disappointed with the EPA's decision to eliminate limits on greenhouse gas emissions for coal- and natural gas-fired power plants. They believe it will have negative impacts on the environment, public health, and the economy. However, they remain committed to taking bold action towards achieving clean energy goals in Colorado.

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