By: Shaina Oliver, Colorado Field Organizer, Moms Clean Air Force
Date: September 4, 2024
About: Cumulative Impacts Rulemaking
To: Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission
Thank you for taking public comment. I would like to remind everyone that we are on the unceded lands of the Cheyenne, Arapahoe, Ute, including 45 tribal nations that have ancestral ties to Colorado.
My name is Shaina Oliver I am a Northeast community member of Denver, Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Advocate, and Field Organizer, for EcoMadres/Moms Clean Air Force Colorado. Moms Clean Air Force is a national organization of Mothers, Dads, and Caregivers united in fighting for all children’s right to a safe environment. Over 42,000 members in Colorado are looking up to leadership to move forward with effective systems and practice rulemaking that results in action for all children’s cumulative impacts on health and rights to live, play, and learn in a safe environment.
Most importantly I am an Indigenous mother of four and wife. We are the descendants of the genocide known as the “Indian Removal Act” known to the Dineh as “The Long Walk of the Navajo.”
Colorado’s disproportionately impacted communities have seen an increase in ground-level ozone pollution. In fact, Colorado is the 6th worst state to breathe in according to the American Lung Association’s “State of the Air Report.” This rise in air pollution makes it hard for community members to simply be outside, including myself and my 12-year-old son who also has asthma.
Oil and gas operations are Colorado's leading source of methane pollution – a powerful climate change pollutant responsible for about a quarter of the climate change we’re experiencing today. Oil and gas operations are also responsible for 30-40% of ozone-forming volatile organic compounds produced on the Front Range. 2021 CO GHG Inventory Report draft.pdf - Google Drive, Scientists pinpoint sources of Front Range ozone | NCAR & UCAR News
Bottom-line, communities disproportionately impacted have been paying the price with their health. From asthma attacks, decreased lung function, increased risk of respiratory infections, susceptibility to pulmonary inflammation, and aggravated lung diseases (like emphysema and COPD). Studies also link lower birth weights in newborns to ozone levels in their community.
Moms are counting on your leadership to move forward with effective cumulative impacts and enhanced systems & practice rulemaking that implements HB23-1294 Pollution Protection Measures | Colorado General Assembly and SB19-181Protect Public Welfare Oil And Gas Operations | Colorado General Assembly. Thank you.