Sunny skies over a Colorado solution

Environment Colorado

“It’s time to be aggressive about the New Energy Economy and create a framework to ensure solar power plants are part of Colorado’s future and our solution to global warming. House Bill 1164, the New Solar Energy Technologies Act, does just that.

“By authorizing the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to consider specific environmental and economic benefits of large-scale solar projects as a way to meet the state’s energy needs, this legislation sets the stage for harnessing this unique solar resource in places like here in the San Luis Valley and across south eastern Colorado.  Our solar fields in rural Colorado can reap the economic benefits of the New Energy Economy powering our state and beyond.

“Today’s bill signing is a turning point for Colorado in our efforts to cut global warming pollution. For the first time, state legislators took a step forward in taking decisive action to cut global warming pollution.

“Colorado can now follow the lead business leaders such as Bank of America to effectively plan for the future costs of global warming pollution. By authorizing the PUC to consider these costs, we can decide whether to purchase energy from coal plants, wind farms or solar power plants.

“The New Solar Energy Technologies Act is about solar power and the role the New Energy Economy plays in Colorado’s solution to global warming.

“While this legislation generated strong ideological opposition and the debate was long and fierce, our environment and the future ofColorado prevailed.

“Environment Colorado applauds Rep. Judy Solano (D-Brighton) and Sen. Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass Village) for their strong leadership this year and last on clean energy and global warming. Environment Colorado also commends Governor Bill Ritter, his policy office, the Governor’s Energy Office, and the Colorado Public Utilities Commission as well as our industry partners Ausra, Ascent Solar, and Sun Edison for moving this important policy forward.”

-Pam Kiely, legislative program director of Environment Colorado