Friend,

The Trump administration's Dirty Power Plan is yet another setback in the fight against climate change.

At a time when we need to be doing everything we can to cut our emissions, the Dirty Power Plan would slow our transition to clean energy and could actually increase carbon emissions.

The science is clear: We need to act now to stop global warming, or the consequences will be catastrophic.1 And we don't have time to wait for the Trump administration to do the right thing.

It's time for Colorado to lead the way.

Tell Gov. Jared Polis to take his climate leadership to the next level.

The Dirty Power Plan replaces an Obama-era rule that would have cut carbon pollution from the electric power sector by 32 percent by 2030. The Trump administration's replacement would slow these cuts, at a time when we need even steeper emissions reductions to avoid the worst impacts of global warming.2

Fortunately, states can take the lead when the federal government won't. There's a lot we can do here in Colorado to slow climate change. In fact, with the stroke of a pen, Gov. Polis can start ratcheting down emissions in Colorado right now.

Tell Gov. Polis to take action.

Earlier this year, our national research partner Environment America Research & Policy Center released a list of actions governors can take to slow global warming. Already, Gov. Polis has issued an executive order to speed Colorado's transition to zero-emission vehicles, and signed a strong appliance energy efficiency standards law. But there's plenty more he can do, including:3

• Leading by example by requiring state agencies to use clean sources for their energy needs, adopting and encouraging electric vehicles, and making climate-friendly purchasing decisions.
• Setting targets for emissions cuts and electric vehicle expansion in Colorado. Setting strong goals helps focus state agencies and the public on charting a path to a cleaner, greener future.
• Incentivizing electric vehicles to make it easier for Coloradans to replace their gas-burning cars with zero-emission electric vehicles.
• Collaborating with neighboring states in regional climate initiatives.
• ...and more.

From pulling out of the Paris climate agreement to rolling back the federal Clean Power Plan and Clean Cars Standards, the Trump administration has failed to lead in tackling the climate crisis. It's more important than ever that Gov. Polis and governors across the country pick up the slack.

Tell Gov. Polis: It's time for Colorado to lead on climate.

Thank you for making it all possible.

Sincerely,

Jeanne Bassett
Senior Associate

1. "Fourth National Climate Assessment," U.S. Global Change Research Program, accessed July 8, 2019.
2. "Trump administration's replacement to Clean Power Plan sends U.S. in the wrong direction on climate change," Environment America, June 19, 2019.
3. "Climate Solutions from Day One 12 Ways Governors Can Lead on Climate Now," Environment America Research & Policy Center, accessed July 8, 2019.