Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper has signed an executive order calling on the state to adopt low-emission vehicle (LEV) standards similar to California’s LEV program. Executive Order B 201- 006 instructs the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to develop a rule to establish a LEV program that incorporates the requirements of California’s LEV program and propose the rule to the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission later this year for possible inclusion into the Colorado Code of Regulations by the end of the year.

Last year, Gov. Hinckenlooper signed Executive Order D 2017-015 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions statewide by more than 26% by 2025, based on 2005 levels. It called on state agencies to work with electric utilities and cooperatives to maximize their use of renewable energy while maintaining reliability. In addition, the state adopted an electric vehicle plan in January of this year.

But the state has concerns that it will not reach these goals since the federal government decided to roll back greenhouse gas and fuel efficiency standards in April. According to the order, this decision may increase carbon dioxide emissions from Colorado’s vehicle fleet by approximately 1.9 million tons annually by 2030.

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