Revoke Carbon Dioxide Status As A Pollutant
If enacted, HB 1163 would fundamentally alter how carbon emissions are treated under Colorado law, voiding any existing statutes and local ordinances that attempt to regulate carbon dioxide as a pollutant. This could lead to significant changes in environmental regulation, especially in sectors that rely on carbon emissions, such as energy production and transportation. The bill's supporters argue that it positions Colorado favorably in the larger conversation surrounding environmental policy and energy production, primarily benefiting industries that may face stricter regulation regarding emissions.
House Bill 1163 seeks to enact a prohibition against classifying carbon dioxide as a pollutant within the state of Colorado. The bill presents legislative findings asserting minimal detrimental effects of carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas compared to other emissions, and argues that reducing carbon dioxide levels does not warrant taxpayer funding. By doing so, it aims to protect carbon dioxide from regulatory controls that would classify it as a pollutant under state and local laws.
The introduction of this bill has raised considerable debate among lawmakers and stakeholders. Proponents, primarily from the Republican party, argue that it supports economic growth by removing regulatory burdens on industries that would otherwise face significant constraints on emissions-related operations. Conversely, environmental advocates and some Democratic legislators criticize the bill as a step backward in tackling climate change, arguing that it undermines scientific consensus about the harmful effects of greenhouse gases and exposes the state to potential challenges in addressing environmental standards.