FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29, 2021
Contact:
Joe Salazar 303.895.7044
joe@corising.org
“Climate Champion” Governor Announces He Will Veto Climate Change Bill SB-200
Governor Jared Polis Fails to Deliver on His Renewables and Climate Campaign Promises
DENVER, CO, April 29, 2021 – Governor Jared Polis announced to a conservative newspaper that he will veto SB- 200, a major bill to fight climate change and help Colorado’s Indigenous, Black, and communities of color fight environmental racism.
The bill, which is still early in the legislative process, strengthens current law and holds the state accountable to achieving greenhouse gas reduction goals. The goals were established in 2019 – ironically, a bill signed by Governor Polis. The 2019 goals didn’t hold the Polis administration or any future administration accountable for achieving said goals. As a result, Colorado is not on track to meet the 2019 goals. Currently, the Polis administration is being sued for its failure to protect Colorado by meeting the 2019 greenhouse gas reduction goals.
Joe Salazar, Executive Director of Colorado Rising asserts, “Despite holding himself out as a “climate champion” during his campaign for governor, his current actions to threaten a veto of an environmental protection bill proves otherwise. A veto threat flies in the face of science.”
In a beleaguered defense of his defenseless position, Governor Polis claims that SB-200 will give “near-dictatorial control” to an unelected board – the Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC). What’s particularly troubling about Governor Polis’ attack on SB-200 is his use of oil and gas industry talking points to justify his opposition to the bill.
“Imagine inferring that greenhouse gas reductions would hurt the economy? Coloradans aren’t so simple-minded. We know our greatest economic champions are manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism. Each are being dramatically devastated by climate change, spurred by an oil and gas industry that doesn’t even come close to driving Colorado’s economic train.” Salazar contends.
Earlier today, Colorado Rising filed a Colorado Open Records Act request seeking correspondence exchanged between Governor Polis’ office and certain industry representatives to ascertain whether there was any undue influence exerted upon the Governor’s office to threaten veto of SB-200. Colorado Rising requests that Governor Polis keep his campaign promises and step into being a real climate leader and support SB-200.
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Colorado Rising is a statewide, 501(c)4, powering a grassroots movement to protect our health, safety, quality of life, and the future of our climate from the harms and impacts of oil and gas operations.
