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Colorado Governor Could Order Strict CO2 Emissions Rules

David Zalubowski
/
AP photo

The federal government’s Clean Power Plan is currently on hold after a judge ordered a stay on the legislation. But that isn’t stopping Colorado from trying to cut down on carbon emissions on its own, reports The Colorado Springs Gazette.

Gov. John Hickenlooper has suggested that he might order a one-third cut in carbon gas emissions from power plants over the next 14 years. Hickenlooper's proposal would direct power plants to cut CO2 emissions by 35 percent by 2030.

In fact, Hickenlooper’s plan even goes farther than the federal law.The Clean Power Plan only calls for a reduction by 28 percent. What’s more, Hickenlooper’s plan would reduce emissions from 2012 standards, while the federal plan would reduce them from 2005 levels. That means the Colorado Governor’s initiative has higher air quality standards than the White House’s plan, which is currently in limbo.