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unchecked methane emissions. Oil and gas pollution contributes to high ozone days on Colorado’s Front Range, resulting in such poor air quality that it’s a health hazard for our children, the elderly and vulnerable populations.

As an elected o cial, I took an oath to protect my constituents’ health, safety and welfare. MERP does just that. MERP helps protect the health, safety and welfare of Colorado’s people. Reducing methane emissions from the oil and gas industry is crucial to helping us reach national climate targets and protect frontline communities from pollution.

I’m proud of Colorado’s recent progress in passing nation-leading rules reducing methane and other pollutants. But much more must be

Turn To The Colorado Sun For News Across The State

The Colorado Sun is a journalist-owned, award-winning news outlet that strives to cover all of Colorado so that our state — our community — can better understand itself. In this way, The Sun contributes to a more vibrant, informed and whole Colorado.

The Sun, launched in 2018, is committed to fact-based, in-depth and non-partisan journalism. It covers everything from politics and culture to the outdoor industry and done. Addressing the toxic brown cloud must be a priority for our state and federal delegation members. When it was created, MERP had buy-in from stakeholders across the board, including industry operators who grasp the importance of lowering emissions. is is not the time to backpedal on such an important program, and I thank U.S. Representative Yadira Caraveo, who represents my congressional district, for voting against HR 1. tions that protect communities from pollution and advance environmental justice,” a news release reads.

According to the news release, DRCOG will collaborate with municipalities and communities to create a climate action plan while focusing on low-income and disadvantaged communities.

The grants will be awarded and administered later this summer.

“This is the first step in a strategic effort to help our cities build common-sense solutions to reduce climate pollution,”reads EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker’s statement in the news release.

“EPA looks forward to supporting locally-grown projects that will make Denver-area communities healthier and stronger.” e time for bold decision-making on climate is now. We hold in our hands the power to leave our children a safe and healthy climate future. education.

Katherine Go is a Northglenn City Councilor and contributor to Western Leaders Voices, a program of Western Leaders Network that helps amplify the voices of tribal, local, and state elected leaders on conservation issues in the West.

Now, The Colorado Sun co-owns this and other Colorado Community Media newspapers as a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy. The Sun is CCM’s partner for

10 statewide news.

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