The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) doused its rules regulating natural gas utilities in red ink, adding requirements to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and striking “natural” from natural gas.

In what the Colorado Energy Office called a “key step” in achieving the state’s GHG Pollution Reduction Roadmap, the CPUC earlier this month finalized rules following a 14-month rulemaking process. The CPUC’s decision in Proceeding No. 21R-0449G fulfilled requirements under Colorado Senate Bill (SB) 21-264, which was signed into law in June 2021 requiring the commission to create pathways for natural gas utilities to reduce emissions levels.

The “decision requiring comprehensive planning from regulated gas utilities will not only help reduce greenhouse gas...