Clean Air Colorado

Posted On October 11, 2022

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CDOT’s collaboration with the Colorado Energy Office

The Colorado Energy Office and CDOT are collaborating to reduce greenhouse gases and improve energy efficiency in transportation. CDOT has developed strategies that can be used by other agencies and businesses to improve energy efficiency and cut transportation costs. These strategies include the implementation of energy efficiency measures in vehicles, investing in transportation infrastructure, and incentivizing the use of electric alternative vehicles.

The Colorado Energy Office and CDOT are collaborating to develop and deploy advanced transportation technology with the goal of reducing transportation costs, improving the safety of vehicles, and alleviating traffic congestion. The collaboration between the two organizations will provide CDOT with integrated transportation research capabilities and systems-level expertise. NREL is one of the nation’s largest repositories for big data related to transportation, and its experts have extensive experience interpreting the data. Additionally, NREL has extensive data on traveler behavior and the urban environment, which will help CDOT to develop and implement new technologies that will make transportation more convenient and safer.

CDOT and the Colorado Energy Office have already engaged in broad public outreach during the Roadmap’s development. Staff from the agencies have met with over 40 groups that represent different sectors in the state. These groups include community organizations, local governments, environmental programs staff, and environmental advocacy organizations. In addition, they have met with businesses, utilities, and outdoor recreation organizations.

The State of Colorado’s GHG Pollution Reduction Roadmap was released in January 2021 and details early action steps to meet its targets for carbon emissions reductions. These goals include reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 26% by 2025 and reducing the total amount of GHG emissions by 50% by 2030. These goals are achievable with existing cost-effective technologies, but further progress will require additional policies and strategies to make the transition to electric vehicles faster.

The new standards also include transition credits and incentives for early sales of electric vehicles. As a result of the changes, Colorado is positioned to be the first state to phase in electric vehicles. Moreover, the state’s governing bodies have already begun providing incentives to consumers. These measures are being supported by organizations such as the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, which represents 99 percent of Colorado’s light duty vehicle sales.

CDOT’s Engines Off! idling reduction education program

Colorado has an excellent school-based idle reduction program that continues to improve emissions and save fuel. During the 2013-14 academic year, eleven schools participated in the Clean Air for Schools: Engines Off! program, reducing vehicle-based air pollution on campus by about 9%. The initiative is managed by the American Lung Association with support from CDOT, Kaiser Permanente, and National Jewish Health.

The CASEO program, which was launched in 2008, has already reached 30 schools and has provided educational materials to thousands of students. Its goal is to increase awareness of the harmful impacts of idling in public areas and to integrate behavior-changing mechanisms into school culture. In addition, it involves collecting and analyzing emissions data from vehicles near schools and in the surrounding neighborhood. The program also encourages parents and school personnel to make pledges to reduce the amount of idling they do in their cars.

In addition to education, the CDOT is developing a climate action plan for Colorado that will outline a set of strategies for reducing idling pollution in Colorado. The plan will also develop an alternative fuel and vehicle efficiency education program. A state law is being considered to prohibit idling on school grounds. Violators would be subject to a $100 fine for the first offense and a $500 fine for subsequent offenses.

Schools and municipal fleets should have signage and policies stating that idling should be eliminated. These measures will help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the air, which causes respiratory distress and asthma. Additionally, it will help reduce emissions by reducing carbon dioxide, a major contributor to climate change.

Moreover, excessive engine idling poses serious health risks. Exposure to toxic carbon monoxide and a variety of other pollutants contribute to smog and can make breathing difficult. For this reason, CDOT has launched a campaign to educate drivers on the health risks associated with excessive idling.

COGCC’s flaring and flaring elimination rule

COGCC’s flaring and flaration elimination rule is designed to help prevent the unnecessary and costly waste of natural gas and petroleum. Flaring is a practice where oil companies burn methane from oil wells to release it into the atmosphere. These flares are typically more than two stories high. The waste is inefficient for well operators and does not generate any revenue for them. The new rules give operators a year to comply with them. Initially, community and environmental groups were opposed to the change, but COGCC members unanimously approved the rule.

The rules are meant to provide certainty for oil and gas operators and the public. The new COGCC rules are based on SB 19-181 and address a number of key issues. In addition to addressing cumulative impacts and alternative site analysis, the rules also improve the COGCC’s process and language. Furthermore, they are intended to ensure greater protection of the environment and wildlife.

The new rules will prevent routine venting and flaring in Colorado. Under these rules, oil and gas companies will be required to evaluate their ongoing impact on air, water, and greenhouse gas emissions before they can operate in the state. The COGCC will vote on final rules Nov. 20. Colorado has been the national leader in the fight against climate change, and the new rules are a welcome step. The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission’s rulemaking process has been a busy year for the oil and gas industry. The agency completed four rulemakings in 2018 and held virtual hearings due to the pandemic. In addition to the flaring elimination rule, the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission has made a change in their mission statement and mandate. The new rules will protect public health, the environment, and welfare.