088211AC8035851287258A61005CABE5 Hearing Summary

Jennifer Berman, Office of Legislative Legal Services, provided a high level summary of the independent investigative report into allegations that staff at the Air Pollution Control Division of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) did not properly enforce federal air quality standards.

Ms. Berman's testimony may be read here: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committees/jennifer_berman_presentation.pdf

The independent investigation report is found at this link: https://coag.gov/app/uploads/2021/09/CDOL-Report-210922.pdf.

Chandra Rosenthal, Rocky Mountain Office Director, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, presented recommendations from experts within CDPHE, including the whistleblowers involved in the above-referenced report. Ms. Rosenthal's written statement may be read here:  https://peer.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/11_8_23-Testimony-Ozone-Leg-Com.pdf

Committee members asked questions about modeling, monitoring, and state compliance.

 

Further questions were raised about improvements made at CDPHE since the whistleblowing incident.  Discussion followed about the permitting process and non-attainment areas.