DENVER – State budget writers on Wednesday reached what they framed as a compromise on funding for air quality regulations.
The Joint Budget Committee agreed to slash funding to the Air Pollution Control Division by nearly $112,000, though no staff would be cut.
The move stems from controversy over implementation of the Clean Power Plan. The Environmental Protection Agency rule requires carbon-dioxide emissions be reduced by 28 percent in Colorado and 32 percent nationally by 2030. The state is charged with developing its specific plan.
The compromise allows just under $8.4 million in funding for the division, which is part of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Republicans had stripped more than $8.4 million in funding for the Air Pollution Control Division, which would have resulted in the layoff of 95 employees at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment by June 30.
The move came after the U.S. Supreme Court in February temporarily delayed implementation of the federal carbon-pollution standards.
“We fired a shot across the bow and we’re going to be watching very carefully,” said Rep. Bob Rankin, R-Carbondale, a member of the JBC. “If they do anything to try and put my coal miners out of business, I’m going to be all over it.
“For me, this is just a small step, a small victory.”
The Republican-controlled Senate last week amended the budget to restore more than $8.1 million for the division. But it left out $328,000 for implementation of the Clean Power Plan. Two staff positions would have been cut.
Because the House and Senate versions of the $27 billion budget are different, the JBC met Wednesday to hash out discrepancies.
The agreement needs approval from both chambers of the Legislature, which could come as early as this week. Lawmakers usually default to decisions reached by the JBC when it comes to resolving amendments to the so-called “Long Bill.”
Budget writers from both sides of the aisle acknowledged that the $112,000 is arbitrary, pointing out that there is not an accurate figure as to how much it would cost to implement the Clean Power Plan in Colorado.
“It’s just impossible to really tell what they’re doing ...” Rankin said. “They never really gave us a good explanation on what exactly they are doing.”
