Landmark Air Quality Improvement Legislation Advances
Legislation includes record investments to reduce air pollution and clean up Colorado's air
DENVER, CO – The Senate Transportation and Energy Committee today passed President Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder) and Senator Julie Gonzales’ (D-Denver) bill to invest more than $124 million to build a healthier Colorado through air quality improvements.
SB22-193 would provide funding for several different programs in the transportation and industrial sectors, as well as the Department of Public Health and Environment, to reduce emissions and improve Colorado’s air quality. The bill includes record investments in clean transportation initiatives and air quality monitoring, regulation, and incentives.
“Cleaning up our air and building a healthier Colorado requires all hands on deck,” said Fenberg. “That’s why we’re taking a comprehensive approach to ensure every Coloradan, particularly in communities who have historically borne the brunt of air pollution, can breathe clean air. With transformative investments to reduce industrial emissions, initiatives to clean up our transportation system, and plans to improve air monitoring, we’re putting Colorado on the path to a cleaner future.”
“Every Coloradan deserves safe and healthy air to breathe, but too often we are exposed to dangerous emissions and high ozone levels that threaten our health and hit disadvantaged communities the hardest,” Gonzales said. “This legislation represents an important step toward reducing those harmful emissions and achieving true environmental justice for all.”
SB22-193 includes:
$25 million for the Clean Air Grant Program to help private entities, local governments, and public-private partnerships fund projects to reduce emissions of air pollutants from industrial and manufacturing operations.
$65 million for the Electrifying School Buses Grant Program to help school districts and charter schools convert and replace fossil-fuel reliant school buses with electric-powered school buses.
$15 million for the Diesel Truck Emissions Reduction Grant Program to provide grants to private and public entities for decommissioning and replacing diesel trucks.
$12 million for the Community Access to Electric Bicycles Grant Program to create bike share and ownership programs to provide Coloradans with ebikes.
$7 million for increased and expanded aerial surveying of pollutants.
The bill now heads to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track the progress of the bill HERE.