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The Polis administration on Monday unveiled the latest version of its comprehensive plan to significantly curb greenhouse gas pollution in Colorado, with the ultimate goal of reaching “net zero” by 2050.
The latest version of the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Roadmap outlines the short-term “actions” the administration plans to pursue over the next three years, particularly the electrification of large buildings and land use to “support strategic growth.” Areas for policy encouragement are outlined. ”
The list of 49 “short-term actions” includes legislation to support “climate-friendly” strategic growth. A policy to achieve “100% clean power generation” by 2040. Regulations to reduce emissions from oil and gas operations, landfills and coal mines.
The revised plan focuses on what the administration calls “strategic growth,” as opposed to things like driving, coupled with Democratic priorities, especially “transportation-planned walkable communities.” It places more emphasis on a range of approaches that favor climate-oriented housing policies. A car to go to work or school.
And just as notable, the revised plan integrates Gov. Jared Polis’ preferred solutions to Colorado’s housing problem with his vision of a carbon-free state within just a few decades. ing.
For example, the plan cites legislation enacted last year that requires the Colorado Electric Commission to adopt rules requiring all new multifamily projects to comply with EV charging requirements. The original Roadmap envisaged that by 2050, “nearly 100% of all vehicles on the road will be electric vehicles.”
The plan also cites the governor’s executive order directing state agencies to coordinate policies with increased housing supply near public transportation, workplaces, and bike and walking corridors.
The governor’s revised roadmap states that the actions outlined in the plan “need to be taken in the short term to make even greater progress toward our bold goals for 2040 and 2050.”
In a news release, the Polis administration said a new set of actions would build on what has been achieved so far and reduce “economy-wide” emissions by more than half from the 2005 baseline by 2030. He said it would improve air quality and save hundreds of lives. From now on, he aims to avert thousands of asthma attacks by 2050 and create “over 95,000 new jobs” over the same period.
Overall, the plan reiterates the Democratic Party’s vision with a rapid transition away from fossil fuel energy and toward a society powered by solar, wind, and other forms of energy.
Supporters say a transition away from fossil fuel energy is necessary, that supporting such goals is a “moral imperative” to combat climate change and curb pollution, and that it gives Colorado an “innovative It claims to offer an opportunity to “promote consumer savings and leverage economic benefits.” and to lead the transition to a clean energy economy. ”
“Colorado has been a national model for bold climate action that improves air quality and protects precious resources and open space. This updated comprehensive roadmap will help Coloradans save money. We will continue to move our state forward in ways that save money, protect our air and water, and ensure a more sustainable future for Colorado,” Polis said.
Critics argue that achieving 100% renewable energy in such a short period of time is not only technically impossible, but also because the system would fail under extreme weather conditions, such as a multi-week winter freeze. They argue that it is dangerous.
Some argue that the transition would be too quick and costly.
For example, building owners and management companies said what the state’s mandate to make large buildings more energy efficient, known as Rule 28, actually means is a mandatory electrification requirement. Critics added that the renovation, which would achieve the initial 7% reduction by 2026, may not be achievable due to planning, permitting and supply chain issues.
According to the state’s economic impact report, the direct cost to large building owners in capital expenditures, reporting and management is $3.1 billion, which exceeds the 20% energy reduction deadline set for 2030. This is the cost incurred up to.
The report says building owners could save $4.6 billion on electricity costs and $577 million on natural gas, for a total of $5.1 billion by 2050. The report also states that $1.24 billion could be saved in social costs by eliminating 26 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent gas. .
Still, the response to climate change is “cautious” and the pursuit of global “net zero” is far more expensive than the promised benefits, especially in times of “energy poverty” the world needs. Some people argue that what is a thing? Until a “global transition to a greener energy future” becomes more feasible, reliable and low-cost fossil energy remains the key.
Mandates come from both state and local governments.
The city of Denver, for example, is using a combination of carrots and sticks to reduce carbon emissions and electrify buildings larger than 25,000 square feet. For example, if a 150,000-square-foot office building exceeds its energy savings goal by 9.5 million kBtu by 2030, the owner will face cumulative fines of more than $2.8 million, according to a document outlining fines from the Denver Climate Action Agency. may be fined. , sustainability and resilience.
Additionally, buildings that meet the target in 2031 but are out of compliance in 2033 and 2034 could face a $226,500 fine, the documents show.
“The move away from fossil fuels and into an all-electric energy environment is going to be difficult, especially within the time frame they outlined,” said Dave Davier, speaking at the time on behalf of the Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association. said. , a construction industry association. “For example, in Denver, it currently takes about two years to get permits through processes such as site development.”
Several elected officials supported the governor’s latest plan.
Boulder Mayor Aaron Brockett said his city is treating the climate crisis “with the urgency it deserves.”
“This is an all-hands-on-deck moment,” the governor said in a news release from the governor’s office. Our roadmap reflects that by identifying how we will contribute to this.” .
Dan Haley, president and CEO of the Colorado Oil and Gas Association, said the industry is “already ahead of schedule to meet its greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals and will continue to work harder to meet expectations. We are committed to investing in technology.” Identified in the updated roadmap. ”
“We have not had the opportunity to fully understand the 160-page report, but the administration outlined environmental concerns, including banning oil and gas permits and other energy measures that activist groups are considering. “I’m grateful to ‘Create in Colorado,'” he told the Denver Gazette.
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