Repowering Colorado and America with clean energy

Ambitious goals in 2009 and beyond

With the help of Environment Colorado and other members of our Environment America federation, an extension of the federal clean energy tax credits was finally approved in October.  Since then, we’ve turned our attention to making sure that the new president and Congress pass a comprehensive energy plan that will cut dependence on oil and reduce global warming. We’re calling for 100 percent renewable electricity and reducing America’s dependence on oil 50 percent.

Saving energy through high-performance and even zero-energy homes and businesses can cut energy use by at least 30 percent. Energy efficiency is the fastest and cheapest way to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, but we also need new sources of clean, renewable homegrown energy.

Even with existing technology, solar power in the Southwest and in cities across America, and wind power offshore and on land, could provide the power we need to meet our electricity needs. In Colorado alone, wind farms provide enough electricity to power over 350,000 homes each year.

Political momentum

With our national federation, Environment Colorado worked to persuade then President-elect Barack Obama and incoming members of the 111th Congress to commit to the following principles: 100 percent renewable electricity; cut global warming pollution 80 percent by 2050; and cut oil use in half. We laid the groundwork by going door-to-door and activating our e-mail list to build support for the plan. Our staff in Washington, D.C., identified the number of votes we could count on in Congress. Right after the election, we released “Renewing America,” a report laying out a blueprint  on how to rebuild our economy on a sound foundation of clean energy. We enlisted the support of scientists, business leaders and entrepreneurs to stand up to the opposition from the oil, gas and coal industries.

Politically, the winds of change are blowing in our direction. Barack Obama pledged during his campaign to invest $150 billion in clean, renewable energy. As candidates for the Senate seats they now hold, Sens. Mark Udall (Col.), Tom Udall (N.M.), Jeff Merkley (Ore.) and many others made investment in clean energy a centerpiece of their campaigns.

Wind energy is less expensive than electricity from new coal or natural gas plants.