“ . . . we became the first state in the country to set renewable energy standards by citizen initiative. We’re making history yet again with HB 1281 by expanding those standards and continuing to establish Colorado as the nation’s renewable energy leader.”
Gov. Bill Ritter,
pictured above with Environment Colorado’s Will Coyne.
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In March, Gov. Bill Ritter put in place the cornerstone of Colorado’s new energy future—a new law that doubles our commitment to clean, renewable energy.
House Bill 1281 increased Colorado’s use of clean, homegrown energy such as wind, solar and agricultural biomass to 20 percent by 2020 for the state’s largest utilities—Xcel Energy and Aquila. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Gail Schwartz (Snowmass Village) and Reps. Jack Pommer (Boulder) and Rob Witwer (Genesee).
“In 2004, when Colorado voters overwhelmingly approved Amendment 37, we became the first state in the country to set renewable energy standards by citizen initiative. We’re making history yet again with HB 1281 by expanding those standards and continuing to establish Colorado as the nation’s renewable energy leader,” said Gov. Ritter.
Gov. Ritter championed the bill through the state Legislature which helps fulfill the “Colorado Promise”—his commitment last fall to Colorado voters to develop clean energy resources.
Spreading the wealth
HB 1281 has crucial provisions that will help all of Colorado get the advantages of a new energy economy. First, the bill sets a renewable energy standard for all rural electric cooperatives. Under this legislation, all cooperatives and municipal utilities will be required to get 10 percent of their electricity from renewables by 2020.
For rural Colorado, the legislation includes provisions that encourage clean energy projects in local communities, including projects initiated by the utilities themselves, residents and nonprofit organizations.
“In the horse race to create a clean energy economy, Colorado has hit a trifecta: we are accelerating local economic development, generating affordable energy, and protecting our environment,” said Matt Baker, executive director of Environment Colorado.
Environment Colorado helped defeat several amendments that would have weakened the bill, including exemptions for the state’s largest electric co-operative and a change in the definition of renewables to include already-built large-scale hydro power—which would have significantly reduced the use of new wind and solar projects in Colorado by electric cooperatives.
Strategy for success
Before the bill’s introduction, Environment Colorado worked hard to build a strong and diverse coalition, making it possible to win in the Legislature. Some of the same groups that had opposed Amendment 37 in 2004, backed HB 1281.
“The support of Xcel Energy, the Colorado Rural Electric Association, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, labor organizations, and renewable energy providers have been instrumental in the passing of this bill,” said Baker.
Doubling Colorado’s renewable energy standard would increase Colorado’s overall GDP by $1.9 billion, create thousands of new jobs, and cut global warming and air pollution by 11 percent.
In 2004, voters approved Colorado’s first renewable energy standard—which set a goal of 10 percent renewable energy by 2015. Xcel Energy is expected to meet that goal by the end of this year, eight years ahead of schedule. Interwest Energy Alliance projects that Amendment 37 would create $250 million in fuel and emission cost savings by 2020.
“This measure lays to rest the myth that the environment and the economy cannot mutually benefit,” said Will Coyne, program director of Environment Colorado.
Other energy progress
Below is a list of other New Energy Future agenda, some of which were pending at the time our newsletter went to press.
Wind on the wires, SB 100. SB 100, which was signed by Gov. Ritter, will help bring more of Colorado’s wind energy to the market. Transmission delays have proved costly to wind farm development and prevented wind farms from coming online. This bill helps put Colorado’s “wind on the wires” by identifying and mapping our best wind resources, and by authorizing the Public Utilities Commission to approve new transmission lines.
Net-metering and renewable energy access, HB 1169. This measure would ensure all Coloradans have access to renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, by creating statewide interconnection standards so any individual can connect to the grid and creates “net-metering” policies so customers are credited with any excess clean energy they are producing and putting onto the grid.
Natural gas energy efficiency, HB 1037. This bill would create and expand natural gas energy efficiency programs for utilities. By allowing “cost recovery” for utilities and a small up-front investment (less than $1/month), consumers and businesses would be able to save $600 million between 2008 and 2020. Also, we would lessen our demand for natural gas by about 8 percent statewide, providing clean energy solutions to the current pressures to drill our Colorado’s pristine wild lands.
Energy conservation building codes, HB 1146. This bill would create statewide standards for energy efficiency building codes during the construction of new homes and commercial buildings. This clean energy solution is one of the best ways to stop wasteful energy use by inefficient buildings. It’s far more cost-effective to build energy efficient homes than doing a retrofit, and this bill would also save consumers and businesses $500 between 2008 and 2020.
Net increases in Colorado’s Gross Domestic Product |
Environment Colorado’s research has revealed that clean, renewable energy greatly benefits the Colorado economy. Above are projected increases in Colorado’s GDP. |
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