Udall, Bennet join with EPA to receive public comment on carbon

 

Representatives of Democratic Senators Mark Udall and Michael Bennet joined with the Environmental Protection Agency yesterday in receiving 189,286 public comments from folks in Colorado who support the EPA’s proposed national rules to cut carbon emissions from existing and future coal-fired power plants.

Spokespeople for both lawmakers reiterated the senators’ support for the proposed rules.

The reason this matters is that Coloradans clearly understand the harmful effects climate change is having here in Colorado and the challenges it presents to our special way of life,” said Udall spokesman Mike Saccone, referring to the natural disasters Colorado has experienced and calling the state a model for the EPA’s proposal.

The constant threat of wildfire, prolonged drought that imperils our $40 billion agriculture industry, and our shortened winters (and ski seasons) and longer summers all demand action.  Fortunately, Colorado is already well-positioned to meet these carbon reduction targets,” added Bennet spokesman Adam Bozzi. 

The new EPA rules have also become a major feature of the break-neck senate race between Udall and Republican Congressman Cory Gardner, who strongly opposes the proposal.

“Senator Udall should reconsider his decision to privilege unelected federal bureaucrats over the people of Colorado,” Gardner said earlier this summer when Denver hosted public hearings on the rules.

Supporters of the rules, like Environmental Colorado, say they could prevent “up to 150,000 asthma attacks and 6,600 premature deaths annually by 2030.” 

In case you missed our multimedia coverage of the EPA hearings this summer, here’s a video by Nate Koch of The Colorado Independent:

 

 

[Image of yesterday’s pro-EPA rules rally via Environment Colorado]