On May 20, the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) unveiled proposed rules to reduce vehicle traffic in Colorado, cut emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants, and improve air quality in the state. The proposals reportedly provide Coloradans with more flexibility and options as they make transportation choices. CDPHE staff presented the proposal to the Air Quality Control Commission at its monthly meeting. The commission unanimously voted to schedule a rulemaking hearing on the proposal for its August meeting.
The proposal has two transportation components:
- The Employee Traffic Reduction Program (“e-trip”), which is designed to provide employers and employees with flexible options to reduce the number of employees who commute to work in single occupancy vehicles. The program would require employers in the Denver Metro/North Front Range ozone nonattainment area with more than 100 employees to produce a plan to reduce vehicle miles travelled from their employees, though employers would not be penalized if employees do not meet the trip reduction goals.
- Tightening the state’s existing vehicle inspection program that requires vehicles 11 model years old or older to undergo an emissions test and meet registration requirements.
In addition to the transportation proposal, CDPHE presented the Greenhouse Gas Emissions & Energy Management for Manufacturing Rule, which would require energy audits and emissions reductions plans at three cement plants and a construction materials plant in the state.
