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Senate amendments addressed the “revitalizing main streets” program of grants for multimodal infrastructure; a requirement for collaboration between state transportation planning organizations and RTD; and to determine air pollution impacts on health and environment of transportation capacity projects.
House committee clarified how a single retail delivery per sale is defined regardless of the number of shipments that might be necessary; allowed for future registration fee adjustments for hydrogen-fueled vehicles; and allowed compressed natural gas as a bridging fuel for heavy duty trucks and transit.
House amendments supported and would finance compressed natural gas fuel as long as electric trucks and transit vehicles are not available that meet operational requirements. Finally, the Environmental Justice and Equity branch is created in CDOT to identify barriers to inclusion in decision-making.
The League supports ensuring air quality by reduction of ambient toxic air pollution, and measures to reduce vehicular pollution.
The League supports inclusion for success in policy-making – by engaging individuals, households, and communities, -- and supports social and economic justice for all Americans. The proposed Nonattainment Area Air Pollution Mitigation Enterprise is intended to mitigate transportation-related emissions in ozone nonattainment areas by funding projects that reduce traffic or directly reduce air pollution.
In January 2020, the EPA designated the Denver Metro/Northern Front Range area as a “serious” nonattainment area under the 2008 ozone standard. Ozone is a corrosive gas created when nitrogen dioxide such as from tailpipe emissions from gas-powered vehicles and volatile organic compounds cook in heat and sunlight [Colorado Sun Dec 21, 2020 and Colorado Newsline Dec 18, 2020]. Among the adverse health effects of ozone is lung damage.
Section 28 of the bill, Environmental Impacts of Capacity Projects, requires the use of modeling to determine air pollution impacts for the planned project and provides monitoring and measurement of criteria pollutants that include ozone, nitrogen oxides, and particles. Small particulates are an air pollutant that can contribute to serious health consequences. In a nationwide study reported by Tessum and coauthors from several US universities it was found that exposure to such small particulates disproportionately affects racial-ethnic minorities. Their analysis identified Industry, light- duty gasoline vehicles, construction, and heavy-duty diesel vehicles as among the largest sources of exposure disparity between Whites (exposures lower than average) and people of color (exposures greater than average) [Science Advances 2021; 7: eabf4481].
The Enterprise allows an air pollution mitigation fee on retail deliveries and rides provided by Transportation Network Companies to fund mitigation projects. CDOT should seek input from communities and local governments on eligible projects and consider reduction of GHG emissions and fine particulates.
In addition, the Community Access Enterprise provides funding for electric vehicle charging infrastructure in communities including to serve light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicles used to make retail deliveries. Charging infrastructure should be located in public and workplace locations and provide chargers for mid and heavy vehicles, including refrigerated trailers; the charging infrastructure should include networks and plazas for DC Fast Charge. The enterprise provides incentives for Transportation Network Companies to increase access to overnight charging for their drivers.
Finally, the League has a position in favor of allowing flexibility for financing future program changes. We have concerns that this bill does not allow flexibility in use of its per delivery and per ride fees as our transportation needs change. We recommend that the 10-yr enterprise plans provide for re-evaluation of the uses of these fees to ensure they are used where the need is highest.
We continue to Support SB 260 as amended in the Senate.
In Colorado, the transportation sector is a major source of GHG pollution. Light-duty/passenger vehicles were responsible for 62% of transportation emissions of GHG and 75% of all vehicle emissions in 2020 (AQCC presentation April 21, 2021).
The League supports measures to reduce vehicular pollution, including changes in engine design and fuel types. We support SB21-260 because it includes multiple incentives and supporting services for the transition to electric vehicles (EV) in Colorado.
The proposed Community Access Enterprise will construct charging and fueling infrastructure and support adoption of EV and alternatives to motor vehicles at the community level. The proposed infrastructure will include facilities for fueling hydrogen fuel cell motor vehicles, networks and plazas for DC fast-charging, and supporting alternative electric vehicles such as e-bikes. Other elements of the business purpose of the enterprise address replacement of older, high-emitting motor vehicles with EV and incentives for creating access to overnight charging. Because the use of motor vehicles for deliveries is a major source of pollution, the enterprise Includes retail delivery fees paid by the purchaser to fund investment in the charging infrastructure.
The proposed Clean Fleet Enterprise will incentivize and support adoption of EV in private and government vehicle fleets with financial assistance or other supporting services. The proposal includes retail delivery fees paid by the purchaser. The enterprise also includes per ride fees to be paid by the Transportation Network Company that provides the connection between rider and driver. The ride fee for a zero-emitting vehicle (ZEV) is one-half of the fee for other rides. The per ride fees will fund enterprise operations including financial incentives for adoption of EV in fleets.
The League supports new revenue sources as needed for the transportation system, including user fees, appropriations, revenue bonds, and private funds.
An Electric Motor Vehicle Road Usage Equalization Fee will be implemented for all-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles according to a schedule. The new fees will be used for highway system funding.
Road Usage Fees on gasoline and diesel fuels will be phased in over 10 yrs beginning at $0.02 per gallon and increased incrementally to reach $0.08 per gallon in FY 2028-29. Thereafter, any changes will be Indexed to the National Highway Construction Costs Index. The fees will be used only for funding the construction, maintenance, and supervision of the transportation system and are intended to defray costs to the state from increased use of the system by motor vehicles.
Retail delivery fees collected under four new enterprises and Bridge and Tunnel Enterprise to fund the respective business purposes that include reducing GHG and air pollution.
Ride fees collected by Transportation Network Companies encourage and fund incentives for EV adoption.
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