Governor Polis on Trump Administration’s Roll Back of Methane Emissions Standards

DENVER - Colorado’s methane emission standards were used as a model for federal rules. Today, the Trump administration shelved those rules.

“This misguided action by the Trump administration flies in the face of the comprehensive and strong steps we’ve taken in Colorado to curb methane emissions which needlessly waste valuable resources and threaten our health and our environment,” said Gov. Polis. “Once again, the Trump administration is failing to lead, and it’s up to states like Colorado to drive bold solutions that will protect the health of our communities and address climate change.”

In addition, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is fully engaged in making methane controls more effective, not less. It is in the process of developing strategies to fulfill the directive under the oil and gas emission reduction bill (SB 19-181). 

“The governor and legislature have charged us with reducing methane, other greenhouse gas emissions, and ozone pollution to ensure that all Coloradans have clean air to breathe. We won’t be deterred by another harmful rollback of federal protections. We are moving forward assertively with implementing the new Colorado laws because we have to lead as a state," said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director, Colorado Department of Public Health.

The Polis administration has taken steps to reduce pollution emissions and fight climate change. Read the administration’s roadmap to 100 percent renewable energy by 2040 here. 

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