Colorado Governor Signs Two Bills to Spur New Energy Economy

Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter signed two pieces of clean energy legislation ­- House Bill 1281 and Senate Bill 100 – to help create a "New Energy Economy" for Colorado.

Hailed as Gov. Ritter’s hallmark legislation, 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 Governor also signed a companion bill, Senate Bill 100, which maps renewable energy resources in Colorado and helps put "wind on the wires" by allowing utilities to build new transmission lines to develop those resources using current cost recovery ­ ensuring immediate funding for new projects and saving rate-payers money over the long run.

HB07-1281 also sets the first renewable energy standard for all rural electric cooperatives in Colorado. Under this legislation, all electric cooperatives would be required to get 10% of their electricity from renewables by 2020.

The bill also 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 wind jobs. Interwest Energy Alliance projects over $250 million fuel and emission cost savings by 2020 thanks to Colorado’s current wind energy investment.

HB07-1281 was sponsored by Senator Gail Schwartz (D – Snowmass Village) and Representatives Jack Pommer (D – Boulder) and Rob Witwer (R- Genesee).

SB07-100 was sponsored by Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald (D ­ Coal Creek Canyon) and Rep. Buffie McFadyen (D – Pueblo West).