DENVER-- Legislation to double Colorado's
renewable energy standard - the cornerstone to this year's clean energy
agenda - was passed by the House Transportation and Energy committee
today in a unanimous vote. The measure's sponsors include Representatives Jack Pommer (D - Boulder) and Rob Witwer (R- Genesee) and Senator Gail Schwartz (D - Snowmass Village).
"Today's vote is the product of a fruitful dialogue between Colorado's
utilities, conservationists, labor unions, renewable energy companies,
farmers and state leaders to create a new energy future," said Will
Coyne, Program Director of Environment Colorado. "Doubling our use of
renewable energy to 20% by 2020 will protect our air, cut global
warming pollution, and increase our energy security."
The
bill, HB07-1281, increases the renewable energy standard to 20% by the
year 2020 and also includes several key provisions designed to
encourage local communities to develop clean energy development
projects, including projects initiated by municipal utilities and
electric cooperatives themselves. The bill is supported by renewable
energy advocates, conservationists, farmers, and utility companies.
The
bill also sets the first renewable energy standard for all rural
electric cooperatives. Under this legislation, all electric
cooperatives would be required to get 10% of their electricity from
renewables by 2020.
"The
announcement by Colorado Rural Electric Association of their support
for this bill marks an important day for the future of renewables in Colorado,"
continued Coyne. The bill offers incentives for Colorado-based
renewable energy, local community clean energy projects, and projects
initiated by local utilities by offering increased credits toward
meeting the renewable energy standard for those projects.
Colorado's
current investment in wind power has been an enormous success. Xcel
Energy is expected to meet Amendment 37's 10% goal by the end of 2007,
eight years ahead of schedule. Proponents of the legislation have cited
the economic benefits for consumers, rural communities, and Colorado jobs. Interwest Energy Alliance projects over $250 million fuel and emission cost savings by 2020 thanks to Colorado's current wind energy investment.
Starting
in 2001, Environment Colorado identified clean energy as a priority
issue. After an unsuccessful three-year lobbying effort at the state
capitol to pass a renewable energy standard, they took the issue to the
ballot and found their first major success when Colorado
became the first state where voters passed a renewable energy standard,
Amendment 37. Then in 2006, Environment Colorado launched their New
Energy Future campaign, gaining support from over 50 soon-to-be state
legislators to double Colorado's renewable energy standard to 20%.
"Support
for clean energy has reached a tipping point this year," said Coyne.
"Coloradans realize that renewable energy won't just help protect our
environment but will be a driver for Colorado's economic future."
