Scanlon for Colorado

Tag: Air pollution

  • Can We Make Traffic Lights Smarter?

    Am I the only one sick of sitting at a red light when there isn’t a single car in sight in any direction?
    Do we not have the technology to make smarter traffic lights? [Spoiler Alert: We TOTALLY have the technology to make traffic lights smarter!]
    Think about Hwy2 and 104th. That one’s my personal favorite. The (relatively) new light at Potomac and 104th is a real gem. Any light on Tower Road at 3am. The list of traffic lights that operate below 99% efficiency is probably 99% of traffic lights.
    We can make these lights – and traffic lights across Colorado – smarter. You would waste less time and gas. The air would be a teensy bit cleaner. Drivers would get less frustrated.

    Any traffic light engineers want to enlighten me? Seriously, please, comment below or email me at michael@scanlonforcolorado.com before I go and make some policy proposal that isn’t even technically feasible!

  • Commerce City Needs Proper Air Monitoring

    What’s the air quality today in our neighborhoods here in Commerce City?

    It’s hard for a lay person to judge. And in our modern, industrial society, tracking air pollution can be helpful for everything from deciding whether to go for jog today to determining where you want to raise your infant child.

    We here in Commerce City are living in the industrial heart of the Denver metro area. We have the only refinery in the state of Colorado for God’s sake. Seriously, who thinks Commerce City DOESN’T need air pollution monitoring?!

    Apparently the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE):

    https://www.colorado.gov/airquality/site_description.aspx#RFN

    Welby has a few air monitors, and this is a great thing. Thank you, CDPHE.

    Now, please, someone tell me how our leaders reached the decision that we don’t need a working air pollution monitor in Commerce City?

    Let me be clear. I’m not asking for one measly air pollution monitor. I demand them on all sides of the refinery, and up here on the north range as well.

    If I’m honored by the voters of this district to be our next Representative at the state Capitol, I promise you this: I’ll either make it happen, and/or I’ll piss off a bunch of bureaucrats trying.