Colorado Commits to Electric Vehicles

Colorado's natural beauty is a big part of the motivation behind
protecting its environment.

England isn’t the only place that can commit to reducing carbon emissions. On June 18, Gov. John Hickenlooper signed an executive order that commits Colorado to adopting low emission vehicle standards.

The executive order follows one from last year that committed Colorado to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 26 percent by 2025. The order from this week gives a method to start working towards this goal, as fossil fuel cars are a large part of the state’s emissions.

It also sights California’s alternative vehicle standards as a guide for Colorado’s. California has set higher standards for vehicle emissions than the federal government for years and multiple states follow these standards.

While Colorado is not officially committing to following California’s standards like these other states, it plans to look towards California as a guide.

Hickenlooper also cited the intention of the federal government to roll back vehicle standards on greenhouse gas emissions and fuel efficiency, which was announced in April.

This intention to roll back vehicle standards by the federal government has also lead to a lawsuit by California and 17 other states.

It’s encouraging to see state governments pursuing environmental agendas, even if the federal government is not. Environmental change starts on a local level, so this push to protect Colorado’s environment is encouraging.