The Sierra Club, represented by attorneys with Earthjustice, filed a motion to intervene in a second lawsuit targeting Denver’s programs to reduce building sector emissions that contribute to the city’s poor air quality and to climate change. The National Propane Gas Association and other pro-fossil-fuel industry groups seek to overturn key parts of the city’s “Energize Denver” plans for addressing the burning of fossil fuels in buildings — the city’s largest source of emissions.

“The Sierra Club represents over 18,000 members in Colorado, including thousands of Denver residents that are negatively impacted by the climate pollution caused by burning dirty and dangerous fossil fuels,” said Margaret Kran-Annexstein, Director of the Colorado Sierra Club. “We are proud to support Denver’s nation-leading building codes that were thoughtfully designed to meaningfully address the climate crisis and believe it is important that any settlements include citizen-based groups and are not negotiated behind closed doors.”

The Energize Denver program aims to reduce emissions from commercial and multifamily buildings, lower energy bills for owners and tenants, and improve air quality by pushing large building owners to replace outdated fossil fuel heating systems with clean, efficient, electric alternatives in new construction and when existing systems break down. In April, a coalition of corporate landlords filed a lawsuit challenging the program. The National Propane Gas Association and commercial building trade associations followed with another lawsuit in July.

Recently, a broad coalition of 14 environmental groups and Denver city council members sent a letter to the city explaining the importance of the city’s programs to address building emissions and urging the city to vigorously defend against this lawsuit.

“In the summer months, simply stepping outside during a heatwave on a smoggy day tells you everything you need to know about why we must transition away from fossil fuels,” said Earthjustice attorney Michael Hiatt. “It’s time to go forward, not backward, and Denver’s Energy Code offers a commonsense solution for ramping down hazardous air pollution while establishing Denver as a climate leader. Earthjustice will be working alongside the Sierra Club every step of the way to defend these programs from legal attacks.”

“The Sierra Club is proud to stand up for Denver’s climate standards. This summer has been the hottest on record, and the Front Range continues to experience dangerously high levels of air pollution, particularly during the summer ozone season. The time to act on the climate crisis and improve Denver’s air quality is now,” said Sarah Tresedder, Senior Climate and Energy Organizer for Sierra Club Colorado.