A Colorado Senate committee voted on Wednesday to kill a bill that would have required health and climate change warning labels on gasoline pumps in the state. Despite support from numerous environmental groups, the measure faced strong opposition from the governor’s office and industry groups.
House Bill 1277 proposed that gas retailers display warnings about the health and environmental risks of burning fossil fuels. The labels would have informed consumers that burning gasoline “releases air pollutants and greenhouse gases, known by the state of Colorado to be linked to significant health impacts and global heating.”
The bill passed the state House in early April but encountered heavy lobbying from gas station owners, chambers of commerce, and oil and gas companies. Governor Jared Polis’ office expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of such labels and suggested that he would veto the bill if it passed.
Opponents of the bill argued that Colorado is already implementing more effective measures to reduce gas emissions and ozone pollution. Gas station owners expressed concerns that the additional labels would clutter pumps with unnecessary information, while the bill’s fines for noncompliance were seen as unfair to businesses.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment also opposed the bill, questioning the usefulness of a warning label and recommending that the state focus on other strategies to address greenhouse gases and ozone pollution.
Environmental groups, however, defended the bill, with 350 Colorado’s Heidi Leathwood calling the lack of action “disappointing.” She emphasized that clear labeling is an established and effective public health tool.
The bill was rejected unanimously by the Senate Transportation and Energy Committee, at the request of Sen. Lisa Cutter, a Democrat from Jefferson County. Although Cutter did not provide an explanation for her decision, political factors were likely a key influence.
Environmental advocates placed the blame for the bill’s defeat squarely on Governor Polis.
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