Sign the Letter: SB21-200
Please sign on to support SB21-200: Reduce Greenhouse Gases Increase Environmental Justice
Last year’s natural disasters transformed future climate change predictions into a present reality, showing how imperative it is for all Coloradans to take immediate steps towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Through immediate action we can curb further damage to our environment, and realize opportunities for innovation and job creation.
Please sign the GBC letter urging Colorado legislators to support SB 21-200, a climate bill to Reduce Greenhouse Gases and Increase Environmental Justice.
Dear Senate Transportation and Energy Committee:
Good Business Colorado (GBC) is a statewide grassroots organization of over 370 values-driven business owners working together to build a prosperous economy, equitable communities, and a sustainable environment. Last year’s natural disasters transformed future climate change predictions into a present reality, showing how imperative it is for all Coloradans to take immediate steps towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Through immediate action we can curb further damage to our environment, and realize opportunities for innovation and job creation. That is why we request your support for SB 21-200.
Senate Bill 21-200 is one step toward attaining the GHG reduction targets set forth in HB 19-1261. This bill does the following:
Codifies the reduction targets laid out in the Polis Administration’s GHG Pollution Reduction Roadmap in order to hold ourselves accountable to measurable outcomes.
Consolidates numerous current and future electric utility led initiatives, and gives utilities the opportunity to share their successes with their customers by submitting a uniform responsible energy plan.
Bolsters the authority invested in our Air Quality Control Commission to consider the social cost of carbon and realign air pollution fees to address internationally recognized greenhouse gases.
Establishes a target for AQCC to complete the necessary rulemaking to make certain ample time is available for the implementation phase.
Creates a permanent voice and advisory committee for Environmental Justice within CDPHE to begin establishing trust within disproportionately impacted communities while creating consistent communication to meaningfully involve these communities in decision making.
As a state and a nation, we must consistently move towards mitigating and adapting to climate change. This bill sets us moving in the right direction, yet is only one of the many steps needed to achieve the necessary reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions as identified by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Last year’s wildfire events dramatically added to our accumulative greenhouse gas emissions. Annual GHG emissions in many states and countries increased up to 25 percent, with Australia’s annual GHG emissions nearly doubling. Our cycles of precipitation, temperature and seasons now fluctuate to the extent that they affect our economies while compromising our ability to reliably source basic needs like food and water. We are all accountable to future generations. As representatives of the people of Colorado, please put Senate Bill 21-200’s accountability structures in place.
Best Regards,
Debra Brown, Executive Director, Good Business Colorado
Angelique Espinoza, Policy Director, Good Business Colorado
Margaret McRoberts, Sustainability Policy Consultant, Good Business Colorado