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Release Date: January 13, 2009
Environmental advocates outline ways to "make it Colorado clean" Denver –Environmental advocates unveiled their 2009 legislative agenda, outlining energy-related proposals that help lead the way to a "green" recovery by building the New Energy Economy and by protecting our health and environment for Colorado's long term economic opportunities. "Conservationists are promoting green policies that create jobs and strengthen our economy," said Carrie Doyle, Executive Director of Colorado Conservation Voters. "Investing in clean energy is step one, and step two is protecting Colorado's health, water, and economy from unnecessary impacts of oil and drilling. Our state's energy future must be 'Colorado Clean.'" This year's environmental agenda focuses on the theme of energy and the economy, including both clean energy and Colorado's oil and gas industry. The 2009 legislative package includes provisions to boost solar-powered homes, create transportation solutions to cut global warming pollution, protect Colorado from oil and gas drilling impacts, and provide rural Coloradans the same opportunities for energy efficiency improvements that Denver-metro residents now enjoy. "Clean energy is a sunny spot in Colorado's economy," said Pam Kiely, legislative program director of Environment Colorado. "While many sectors are cutting back, renewable energy companies are pushing forward— creating 88,000 jobs and spurring new manufacturing plants across Colorado." Solar home options legislation sponsored by Rep. Mike Merrifield (D-Colorado Springs) and Sen. Morgan Carroll (D-Aurora) would make solar power for electricity a standard option to all new homebuyers. "Colorado can create jobs, boost the industry, and help reboot the economy by making it easier for new homebuyers to make the choice to install solar energy," continued Kiely. Advocates stressed a "green" recovery is only possible if Colorado adopts good state polices and Washington makes clean energy and transit solutions central to the national economic stimulus packages, recommending $150 billion in federal funding going to states. "Colorado's current transportation policy is a road to nowhere," said Elise Jones, Executive Director of Colorado Environmental Coalition. "Investing in transit is an economic no-brainer. We need a modern transportation system that gives us more jobs and more transportation choices. And by reducing our dependence on oil, transportation solutions are key to energy security and cutting global warming pollution." Advocates are also bringing back a bill that passed the Colorado House in 2008 which would require rural electric cooperatives and municipal utilities to help their customers increase energy efficiency and lower their utility bills. Similar efforts are already available in many urban areas served by Xcel Energy, Colorado's largest utility. "As people struggle to regain their economic footing, one simple thing we can do now is cut energy bills today and thereby put money back into the hands of homeowners and businesses," said Howard Geller, executive director of the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP). "Just because a person lives in a rural community doesn't mean that energy saving programs should be off limits." Advocates supported the adoption of new public health and environmental protections from oil and gas drilling impacts. "As energy development moves forward, we need to make sure it protects our state's outdoor recreation economy," said Michael Freeman, staff attorney of Earthjustice. "We don't need to choose between jobs and the environment - protecting Colorado's water, air, and natural beauty is essential for our economy." The new protections were passed 8-to-0 by the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission after more than 6,000 hours of meetings and six public hearings. They must now be voted on by the legislature and signed by the Governor for adoption. The coalition announcing the legislative agenda included Alliance for Sustainable Colorado, Clean Water Action, Colorado Conservation Voters, Colorado Environmental Coalition, Earthjustice, Environment Colorado, Sierra Club Rocky Mountain Chapter, and Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP).
ADDITIONAL CONTACTS Political landscape / background Solar home options Transportation solutions for global warming Northern Colorado & transportation solutions Energy efficiency for rural communities Protecting Colorado from oil and gas drilling impacts
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