Federal Initiatives Addressing Climate Change in Colorado: Vehicle Emissions, Infrastructure Investment, and More
Climate change is a pressing issue that requires urgent action at both the federal and state levels. In Colorado, various federal agencies have been implementing initiatives to address greenhouse gas emissions, corporate climate change disclosures, and rulemakings that align with federal policy.
One significant development is the reinstatement of California’s Clean Air Act waiver for its Advanced Clean Car program by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This decision allows California to set and enforce more stringent vehicle emission standards than the federal government, including greenhouse gas emission standards and zero-emission vehicle requirements. The recent Ohio v. EPA decision further upheld California’s waiver authority, highlighting the importance of states’ autonomy in addressing climate change.
Additionally, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has provided over $16 billion in funding to strengthen the country’s infrastructure, improve community resilience to climate change, and protect human health and the environment. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has also published a Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Utility-Scale Solar Energy Development, evaluating the potential impacts of modifying the BLM’s solar energy program across 11 western states.
In the oil and gas sector, the EPA has finalized new air emission standards to reduce pollution from crude oil and natural gas operations. These rules aim to control greenhouse gas and volatile organic compound emissions, as well as implement emission guidelines for existing sources. However, challenges to these regulations have been filed by the Texas Railroad Commission and several states attorneys general.
Furthermore, the EPA has announced final national pollution standards for tailpipe emissions from passenger vehicles and trucks for model years 2027 through 2032. These standards are projected to significantly reduce carbon emissions and promote the adoption of cleaner vehicle technologies. However, several states have filed lawsuits opposing these rules, highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding climate regulations.
The Biden administration has also awarded $20 billion to establish a national financing network for climate and clean energy projects, with a focus on low-income and disadvantaged communities. Additionally, the SEC has finalized climate-related risk disclosure rules for public companies, requiring them to disclose material climate-related risks in their annual filings.
Overall, these federal initiatives demonstrate a commitment to addressing climate change and transitioning to a more sustainable future. In the upcoming parts of this series, we will explore statewide and local initiatives in Colorado that further contribute to combating climate change. Stay tuned for more updates on this critical issue.