In With the New

The new guard is taking over in Colorado and things are looking brighter for clean air.

First off, with Margie Perkins, the former Director of the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division, off to retirement, Paul Tourangeau is stepping up to fill Margie's shoes. And while those may be some big shoes to fill, Paul so far seems up to the challenge.

But things are early yet and Paul still has some baggage to deal with. An appointee of former Colorado Governor Bill Owens, a vocal opponent of stronger clean air regulations, Paul also formerly worked with Duke Energy, one of the largest utilities in the country.

In light of his past, will Paul stand up for the health of Colorado communities and resist industry opposition to clean air?

Before answering that question, perhaps its best to take a look at the next of the new guard: Jim Martin, the newly appointed head of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and Paul Tourangeau's potential new boss.

Jim Martin, the newly appointed head of the
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Described as a "breath of fresh air" (which, by the way, is the name of Rocky Mountain Clean Air Action's monthly e-newsletter), Jim Martin was appointed Friday by incoming Colorado Governor Bill Ritter to oversee the Department of Public Health and Environment, and with it, the Air Pollution Control Division.

With the appointment of Jim Martin, the winds of change are gusting at the Department of Public Health and Environment. Described as "a widely respected environmental advocate known for his bridge-building, work ethic and mastery of pollution and energy issues," this isn't the half of it. While he is currently the Executive Director of Western Resource Advocates, a Colorado-based western conservation group, his allegiance doesn't seem to be with "environmentalists" or "activists:: it's with Colorado. And with clean air being a keystone value in Colorado, Jim's appointment seems a perfect fit.

Even industry described Jim as a "well-seasoned and balanced appointee for the health department." All the same, incoming Governor Bill Ritter appears to have held true to his commitment to protecting clean air with the appointment of Jim Martin.

So, will Paul Tourangeau stand up for the health of Colorado communities and resist industry opposition to clean air? We're hopeful he will, and with Jim Martin as his boss, he certainly may have the backing to do the right thing.