House Bill -- 1323

Colorado is at an energy crossroads.  We can invest in expensive and unnecessary power plants, or we can start implementing legislation to save energy today.  H.B. 1323 is a step in the right direction for Colorado's energy future.

REALISTIC, RESPONSIBLE, REASONABLE

H.B. 1323 sets achievable energy reduction targets in line with those reached by other Western utilities and lower than those set for Xcel.

· Fort Collins municipal electric has committed to reaching goals similar to those in HB 1323

· Both Nevada Power and Sierra Pacific Power reached 1% energy reductions last year

SAVING ENERGY, SAVING MONEY, BUILDING THE NEW ENERGY ECONOMY

· H.B. 1323 reduces energy use by an amount equivalent to 25,000 typical Colorado homes -- that's about 215 million kWh per year in 2020.

· It realizes an estimated $85 million in net economic benefits by requiring the covered utilities to implement programs to increase energy efficiency, thereby helping members save energy and reduce their utility bills.

· It creates roughly 200 new jobs by 2020 for small businesses that would implement programs to meet the requirements established in the bill.

PROTECTING COLORADO'S ENVIRONMENT

Electricity production is the leading source of CO2 pollution in Colorado. Without action from all of the state's utilities, Colorado will not meet the goals of the Colorado Climate Action Plan. This bill advances that goal by cutting CO2 pollution by an estimated 100,000 metric tons by 2015 and twice that by 2020 through reductions in energy demand.

H.B. 1323 WILL...

· Require rural electric cooperatives of more than 100,000 meters to achieve 2 percent electricity savings by 2012 and increases those reductions to 10 percent by 2020

· Permit utilities to meet up to 20 percent of the requirements with fuel switching, as long as this reduces energy use

· Allow utilities to use funding from other sources (e.g., Federal stimulus dollars, money from Tri-State or the Governors' Energy Office) to meet program requirements

For more information contact:

Pam Kiely of Environment Colorado at 303.929.8702