“Our nation desperately needs to change its course on energy. We’re staking out a bold plan that uses American innovation to bring about a New Energy Future.”
Will Coyne
Program Director
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In early fall, Environment Colorado joined agricultural groups and labor unions to launch “The Plan for Colorado’s New Energy Future” with press conferences in Denver, Colorado Springs and Grand Junction.
Colorado has the technological expertise and resources to change our course on energy—we just need to put them to work.
By investing in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and biofuels, as well as energy efficiency measures, we can reduce our dependence on foreign oil, reinvigorate our economy, create good new jobs, protect consumers, and protect our environment.
The Plan was well received by newly-elected legislators, business interests, conservation groups and clean energy advocates. We hope to carry this momentum and make The Plan a reality in this year’s legislative session.
Reduce dependence on oil
Our plan calls on Colorado to establish a Renewable Fuels Standard where 10 percent of our transportation fuels come from renewable fuels, such as biodiesel and ethanol, by 2015.
Over the past 30 years, oil imports have doubled, and our dependence on foreign oil has grown. In fact, 55 percent of our oil comes from foreign sources. We are more susceptible to volatile prices and dependence on unstable or unfriendly governments for our energy supply.
We can do better—Colorado is home to an emerging biofuel industry. By doubling the amount of renewable fuels we use to 10 percent, we can create hundreds of new construction and operation jobs. These jobs will add $141 million annually to local economies and boost rural agricultural markets.
Our energy plan will displace 54 million barrels of imported oil. The more renewable fuels we use, the less we depend on unstable, foreign sources.
At the national level, if we harvested 25 percent of our transportation fuels from renewable sources, nationwide oil consumption would decline by 3 million barrels daily, an amount equal to our current total imports from the Persian Gulf.
Clean, renewable, homegrown energy
Our plan calls for doubling the amount of renewable energy, such as wind and solar power, to 20 percent by 2015.
In November 2004, Colorado voters passed Amendment 37, requiring utilities to get 10 percent of their power from renewable sources. The initiative has been so successful that we are set to meet its goal 8 years ahead of schedule.
The Interwest Energy Alliance reports that wind power has already resulted $251 in energy and emissions savings for Xcel Energy customers.
And we have just begun to tap Colorado’s wind power potential. Colorado has the annual potential to generate 11.5 times the estimated electricity we currently use—from wind power alone.
Also, Colorado has tremendous solar power resources. The time for boosting investment is now. According to the Western Governors Association, the amount of sunlight in Colorado that hits an area the size of a basketball court in one year has the same energy as 650 barrels of oil. Solar power is probably the biggest key to our energy independence.
Once more, renewable energy also means more jobs and economic growth. Generating 20 percent of our electricity will add over 6,000 short-term construction jobs and nearly 500 long-term operational jobs.
Also, farmers can receive $3,000 to $6,000 per windmill, per year. In Prowers County, the Colorado Green wind farm will increase the local tax base by $2 million annually.
Saving energy with efficiency
Our plan gets Colorado to use 10 percent less energy for electricity and heating than we do today by 2025.
Everyone has felt the pinch of high and fluctuating energy prices over the last year. In the winter, natural gas prices shot heating bills way up and gas prices hovered between $2.50 and $3.00 per gallon.
Increasing our energy efficiency will not only be good for our environment, but it puts money back in the pockets of consumers and businesses.
We can easily reduce demand for energy by 10 percent by implementing the latest cost-saving technologies. Leading utilities across the country already have 1 percent annual savings programs. Xcel Energy operates a well-funded program in Minnesota. We can and should do the same here.
Our plan would result in $1.2 billion in electricity savings and $6 billion net economic benefits for households and businesses in natural gas savings. Once more, an energy efficiency goal of 10 percent would create over 3,000 jobs.
Invest in a bold New Energy Future
Our plan calls on investing more public and private dollars in research and development of new energy technologies that will power our future.
Colorado is a leader in clean energy research and innovation. The National Renewable Energy Lab in Golden is the largest renewable energy research institution in the country. Also, Colorado’s educational institutions have some of the nation’s premiere energy researchers.
While renewable energy is ready for prime time, technologies are constantly improving. Increasing investment in research and development is key to making The Plan for Colorado’s New Energy Future a reality.
Colorado should continue to be a leader for clean energy development and attract new clean energy enterprises.
New Energy Future vs. business as usual |
In addition to our state plan, Environment Colorado has also put forth a federal energy platform. Below is a comparison of fossil fuel and electricity savings under our federal New Energy Future scenario, compared to our current energy path if we change nothing. |
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