Every Coloradan deserves the right to clean air and clean water. The two bills below will work in conjunction to help protect our air, water and public health.
HB20-1265: Air Toxics Bill
Refineries, factories coal plants, and other industrial activities often release toxic chemicals into the air. These toxics have drastic, harmful health impacts such as cancer, migraines, persistent nosebleeds, and childhood asthma. The Air Toxics Bill creates a new program to regulate emissions of a subset of hazardous air pollutants, such as hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen sulfide, benzene, and other hazardous air pollutants. This bill will address:
- Emissions monitoring and data collection to be shared in real-time with the public
- Emissions Limits: Colorado Dept of Public Health and Environment will have limits on the amount of toxic pollutants that regulated facilities may emit.
- Community Safety: Multilingual alert system that promptly wants nearby residents, local, schools, and emergency responders about incidents.
- Transparency and accountability: Real-time, accessible reporting of the amount and type of toxic pollution will be required.
HB20-1143: Polluter Fines & Fees Bill
Current state law sets the maximum fine for an air alit violation at $15,000 a day and $10,000 a day for a water quality violation. This bill will raise the maximum daily fines for air and water permit violates to the federal maximum of $47,357 a day. The money raised will go towards a community impact cash fund that Environmental Mitigation Projects (EMP) in the impacted area. Overall, this bill will will make sure that environmental justice is served and advocate for affected areas and communities.
This is about protecting public health and rising up for environmental justice in Colorado. Contact your State Senator and State Representative and ask them to support HB1265 and HB 1143.
