Road map to emissions reduction not enough

Re: “Colorado unveils plan to cut heattrapping air pollution by 90%,” Jan. 15 news story

Gov. Jared Polis and most Colorado leaders continue to prioritize a bankrupt industry over my health and safety. A recent report released by 350 Colorado, an environmental advocacy organization, found that “the oil and gas sector is currently responsible for 70% of Colorado’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in comparison to the state’s estimation of just 17.3% (a +52.7% difference).”

And while Polis’ release of Colorado’s GHG road map’s HB 19-1261 seemed promising, it actually allows for a 61% increase in GHG emissions by allowing an increase in oil and gas production, according to the report.

The state’s plan to increase oil and gas production while still meeting GHG emission reduction targets is an unconvincing illusion.

We need a complete phase-out of oil and gas by 2030, which can be achieved through a 10% per year reduction in GHG emissions. The use of oil and gas cannot continue, and any plan trying to save Colorado from climate devastation that still accounts for large amounts of oil and gas by 2030 is not a good one.

Colorado could lead the global just transition from fossil fuels to renewables if they used honest data on actual GHG emissions to influence policy decisions, not assumed and self-reported data from the oil and gas industry.

Coloradans are tired of watching our forests burned, our waters poisoned and air toxified. A just transition from fossil fuels to renewables, one that supports energy workers and prioritizes frontline communities, is not only possible but is what we deserve.

Megan Neufeld, Lyons Editor’s note: Neufeld is a Silver Creek High School student.

I applaud state lawmakers for crafting a plan to cut Colorado’s heat-trapping air pollution, or greenhouse gas emissions 90% by 2050.

As Polis points out, hundreds of thousands of jobs in Colorado are climate-related, and we all depend on a stable climate for our well-being.

As citizens of the state we should also be aware of our ongoing responsibility to hold government and regulatory agencies accountable for enacting guidelines that allow all sectors of the economy to meet these goals.

Transportation, health, energy and air-quality officials must refine our state plan down to the devilish details. Meeting the new standards will require investment, innovation and penalties for those who break the rules.

Our first deadline is a 26% reduction by 2025, now only four years away, and the goals in the bill are not only achievable but beatable.

We must work together as citizens, agencies, government, and private sectors to meet or even surpass this plan’s goals. Laura Dravenstott, Centennial