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JBC wants water permitting efficiency; sets audits for two troubled state agencies
Water permitting is sluggish in the state causing delays in environmental protections and capital projects. Permit holders too often have long waits for initial permits or permit modifications slowing development of wastewater plants and industrial expansion. SB25-305 aims to increase efficiency of permitting while offering local governments more flexibility and debt management when considering permits. The division of administration in the CDPHE will include recommendations for regulations and legislation to water quality control commission. The bill puts $6.5 million into the clean water cash fund and the drinking water cash fund to support faster permitting timelines including hiring third parties to perform technical assistance in the permitting process.
SB25-306 sets up performance audits for two state divisions: the Air Pollution Control division and the Division of Labor Standards and Statistics. The Labor Standards and Statistics division has undergone disruption with its reports to the US Department of Labor due to its data quality based on the modernization of its unemployment insurance program. These problems affected the reliability of economic indicators and impacted economic forecasting and policy. Limited resources and staffing have contributed to the problems.
The Air Pollution Control division of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will also receive a performance audit. The state, particularly along the Front Range and in areas with oil and gas development, have been severely out of compliance with EPA air quality rules. The audit will help the legislature develop policy and resources to enable the division to achieve its mission. Certain conditions have concerned the legislature, including allegations of data suppression and slow and inadequate permitting of regulated industries. The audit will determine if the division is fulfilling its statutory duties, is using resources appropriately, and has proper systems in place to ensure scientific integrity as well as public engagement and environmental protections.
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