Colorado Governor Bill Ritter signed House Bill 10-1001 into law, which requires utilities to get 30% of electricity from renewable sources by 2020.
The legislation, which was sponsored by Rep. Max Tyler and Senators Gail Schwartz and Bruce Whitehead, also calls for 3% of that to come from local solar energy.
In 2004, Colorado was the first state to pass a voter-approved referendum requiring 10% renewable energy by 2015. In 2007, Gov. Ritter and the legislature doubled the requirement to 20% by 2020.
The new law will create thousands of clean energy jobs, and 100,000 solar rooftops over the next decade.
"With HB 1001 we will manufacture and install panels and turbines all over Colorado to capture free energy," says Rep. Tyler. "The sun will always shine for free, the winds will always blow for free, and our energy production will be cleaner. Renewable energy, green jobs, and a cleaner future — what’s not to like?"
"It was extremely gratifying to sponsor HB 1001," Sen. Schwartz said. "I have been a strong advocate for renewable energy throughout my career because I see the advantages it brings to Colorado. This bill will attract hundreds of companies, create thousands of jobs, and ensure these are the kind of companies and the kind of jobs that will build Colorado’s economy for years to come. HB 1001 will create a diverse portfolio of energy resources to keep energy affordable in the long term, and keep Colorado leading the country in renewable energy and economic recovery."
Sen. Whitehead says, "Renewable energy will create thousands of jobs for Coloradans and get our state back to work. We have attracted over 230 solar companies to our state already, and passing HB 1001 to increase our renewable energy standards will only continue this trend."
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