Noah Rott, noah.rott@sierraclub.org
Denver, CO - Yesterday, the Colorado Legislature passed two important bills to reduce ozone pollution following a compromise that led to the oil and gas industry dropping a number of dangerous ballot measure proposals in exchange for the abandonment of three stronger ozone-related bills.
SB24-230 "Oil and Gas Production Fees" will generate $140 million per year from industry fees that will fund transit and land conservation. SB24-229 "Ozone Mitigation Measures" will help provide state agencies with more tools to better enforce air pollution laws, protect disproportionately impacted communities, and shut down low-producing oil and gas wells. The bill also requires the generation of rules by the Air Quality Control Commission to reduce ozone pollution.
In response, Director of Colorado Sierra Club Margaret Kran-Annexstein said:
"These bills take some modest but important steps to holding the oil and gas industry accountable. The Front Range has had a severe ozone problem for the better part of two decades and that requires urgent and courageous action from Colorado's leaders to look past the status quo of heavy industry influence. We look forward to seeing these bills implemented and remain dedicated to fighting for a clean energy future where we can all breathe clean air and where state leaders prioritize their constituents' needs."
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.