Renewable energy standard receives strong endorsement from the House

Bipartisan legislation to double Colorado’s renewable energy to 20% passes out of House of Representatives 59 to 5

DENVER—Legislation to double Colorado's renewable energy standard - the cornerstone to this year's clean energy agenda - was passed by the House of Representatives today by a vote of 59 to 5. The measure's sponsors include Representatives Jack Pommer (D - Boulder) and Rob Witwer (R- Genesee) and Senator Gail Schwartz (D - Snowmass Village).
"We're a third of the way through the process,” said Will Coyne, Program
Director of Environment Colorado, "and the support we've received from
our state legislature, the labor and agricultural communities, and
consumers statewide has been extraordinary. We look forward to working
with Senate sponsor Gail Schwartz as this important cornerstone to Colorado's New Energy Future moves through the Senate.

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. "Coloradan’s realize that renewable energy won’t just help protect our environment but will be a driver for Colorado’s economic future."