News

Complementary to the RAQC’s Charge Ahead Colorado (CAC) program, Xcel Energy is once again offering Colorado businesses and organizations an opportunity to add electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure to their locations through their Electric Vehicle Supply Infrastructure Program. Eligible organizations can offer these EV charging stations to their own fleet vehicles and customers or to the public. The Xcel Energy program can help you install the electrical infrastructure needed for the EV charging stations at no cost. See more information about the program, if your organization/company is eligible and how to apply here. The application is currently open through October 22nd, and projects will be awarded and program steps will begin in mid-November 2020.

The RAQC’s CAC program, in partnership with the Colorado Energy Office, currently offers grant funding for charging station projects, with the next funding round opening Oct. 1st. The Xcel Energy program provides a great opportunity to supplement charging station project costs in conjunction with CAC funding. This makes providing charging stations an affordable option in many settings with the significant support currently being offered. Project implementation timelines for the Xcel and RAQC programs are flexible enough to take advantage of both funding opportunities. Adoption of electric vehicles is critical to improve air quality and meet the State’s environmental goals.

The RAQC answers many common questions about the air quality issues our region faces, federal ozone standards, and how we can all make a difference in reducing ozone in an updated Q&A document. You can read it here.

On August 14, 2020, the EPA Administration published in the Federal Register a proposal to maintain the current level and form of the primary and secondary ozone standard of 70 parts per billion (ppb).  More information on the proposal can be found at: .  EPA is seeking comment on the proposed action. A will be held on August 31, 2020 and September 1, 2020.

In an effort to keep interested stakeholders informed of current happenings with RAQC programs, partners, and air quality news and events, the RAQC created The Air Monitor quarterly e-newsletter. You can read the most current issue here. If you are interested in subscribing to the newsletter, sign up here or contact Sara Goodwin.

On July 14th, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), and Colorado Energy Office (CEO) announced that the state is signing a multi-state Memorandum of Understanding to work collaboratively to advance the market for electric trucks and buses. The agencies also announced a public process to work with the industry and community stakeholders to develop a broad set of strategies to reduce emissions from heavy-duty vehicles. With transportation now the largest source of air pollution in Colorado — and with our economy increasingly reliant on freight, as exemplified during the COVID-19 crisis — it is critical that the state develop a thoughtful and balanced approach that provides a pathway for emissions reductions from this key sector.

You can read the press release here.

In response to being reclassified to a Serious ozone nonattainment area by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), effective January 2020, the RAQC, in close coordination with the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division and EPA Region 8 staff, have developed a draft Serious State Implementation Plan for the Denver Metro and North Front Range Ozone Nonattainment Area under the 2008 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard.

At this time, the RAQC is requesting the public review the draft plan and provide comment. Written comment can be submitted through July 31, 2020 at sipcomments@raqc.org. Oral comments will be accepted at the RAQC’s August meeting, and are limited to three minutes per person. Please email  sipcomments@raqc.org by August 5th if you plan to submit oral testimony.

In an effort to reduce ground-level ozone and improve air quality in the Denver Metro/North Front Range areas, the RAQC and our program partners are excited to launch a new Mow Down Pollution – Lawn Mower Exchange program with The Home Depot! The RAQC will offer $150 vouchers to people who choose to recycle and replace their gas-powered lawn mowers with rechargeable or corded electric lawn mowers at participating Home Depots. 

Get more information at the Mow Down Pollution program website and flyer.

The RAQC’s Simple Steps. Better Air. (SSBA) team is excited to launch a refreshed SimpleStepsBetterAir.org! The objective of the website facelift is to give audiences a more user-friendly and contemporary experience with updated content, imagery and SSBA partnership information. Please note, you may need to refresh your browser to see the new site.

Yesterday, Governor Polis announced the Can Do Colorado Community Challenge, an extension of Can Do Colorado, which spotlights and supports innovative businesses that are finding creative ways to continue serving their customers safely, implementing teleworking, and reducing in-person interactions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Can Do Colorado Community Challenge calls on local governments and businesses to continue finding safe and sustainable opportunities to jump start the local economy and implement these practices until a cure or vaccine is created. The state wants to continue to champion things like teleworking whenever possible; equity for essential workers; and helping communities provide safe spaces for all to walk, bike, dine, and conduct business. You can read the press release here.

The RAQC worked with numerous partners on the initiative, including the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, the Colorado Department of Regulatory Affairs, the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment, the Colorado Department of Transportation, the Colorado Energy Office, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade, and the Denver Regional Council of Governments.

Various RAQC programs and resources to aid in this effort and improve air quality are featured in the Challenge fact sheet and on the Improve Air Quality website page.