(1) In issuing any final rule intended to reduce air pollution, except for any rule that adopts by reference applicable federal rules, if the commission has no discretion under state law not to adopt the rules or to adopt any alternative rule, the commission shall make a determination that:
Any rule promulgated under section 25-7-110.5 is based on reasonably available,validated, reviewed, and sound scientific methodologies and that all validated, reviewed, and sound scientific methodologies and information made available by interested parties has been considered. Such review may include internal organizational review and not peer review.
Evidence in the record supports the finding that the rule shall result in a demonstrable reduction in air pollution to be addressed by the rule unless such rule is administrative in nature;
On and after July 1, 1997, and in conformance with guidance from the general assembly to incorporate the recommendations of the task force established in section 25-7-110.5 (6), prior to its repeal in 1997, evidence in the record supports the finding that the rule must bring about reductions in risks to human health or the environment or provide other benefits that will justify the cost to government, the regulated community, and to the public to implement and comply with the rule;
The commission shall choose an alternative that is the most cost-effective under theanalysis required by section 25-7-110.5 (4), provides the regulated community flexibility, and which achieves the necessary reduction in air pollution. The commission may reject the most cost-effective alternative and shall provide findings of fact detailing why the most cost-effective alternative is unacceptable.
The selection of the regulatory alternative by the commission will maximize the airquality benefits of regulation pursuant to this article in the most cost-effective manner. For purposes of the required analyses under this section, prior to the completion of the rule-making required pursuant to section 25-7-110.5, no benefit (except for air pollution reductions) can be attributed to regulating a facility already operating in compliance with a permit issued pursuant to applicable law.
(1.5) As used in this section, "rule" includes an amendment to an existing rule.
(2) In the event that the commission and division fail to reasonably comply with requirements of section 25-7-110.5 or this section, the rule shall be void and unenforceable. Judicial review of agency action under this section or section 25-7-110.5 may only be obtained by parties to the rule-making hearing and can only be brought regarding deficiencies or issues alleging a failure to comply with the requirements in section 25-7-110.5 or this section raised during or before the hearing to afford the commission, its staff, or interested parties an opportunity to address the deficiencies or issues raised.
Source: L. 95: Entire section added, p. 1335, § 2, effective July 1. L. 96: IP(1) amended and (1.5) added, p. 1285, § 3, effective June 1. L. 2020: (1)(c) amended, (SB 20-136), ch. 70, p. 295, § 42, effective September 14.
Cross references: For the legislative declaration in SB 20-136, see section 1 of chapter 70, Session Laws of Colorado 2020.