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Release Date: May 6, 2009
Solar, transit, and efficiency investments to spur jobs, development as state climbs out of economic recession Denver – Colorado kept a razor sharp focus in building the New Energy Economy as a strategy for spurring green jobs and economic development amidst the economic recession, according to advocates and businesses at a state capitol briefing on the 2009 legislative session. Groups hailed the leadership of Gov. Bill Ritter and the state legislature for passing over a dozen pieces of legislation to advance a green economic recovery. At the same time, Gov. Ritter and Energy Office director Tom Plant were key players in the national push to put clean energy investments at the core of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act— helping Colorado grow good, green jobs. "These are sober times for our economy, and Gov. Ritter's strength and vision in building the New Energy Economy provides a path forward," said Carry Doyle, executive director of Colorado Conservation Voters. "Colorado leaders showed exceptional skill and foresight passing measures that will create good, green jobs and local investment right here in Colorado." A suite of solar bills passed the state legislature to continue that trend, including legislation to make solar a standard option on all new homes, a bill to create a low-interest loan fund for schools to make investments in renewable energy improvements such as solar and wind, and the extension of a sales and use tax exemption to solar hot water systems. Already, renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements have created upwards of 88,000 jobs in Colorado. Clean energy businesses hailed the commitment by state leaders as essential to ensure the upward trend in green jobs. "Solar power has been a ray of sunshine in Colorado's economy, but no industry is immune to the economic slowdown." said Eriks Brolis, of Namaste Solar, Inc. "Gov. Ritter and the legislature are making the right decisions to pre-wire Colorado for solar powered jobs to ensure that we keep on growing." Colorado had mixed success advancing energy efficiency solutions. Energy efficiency plays a unique and strong role in green recovery efforts because investments create jobs while cutting energy use for homes and businesses, allowing for more money to go into local economies. It is the cleanest, cheapest way to meet out electricity demand. Colorado passed a bill allowing rural electric cooperatives to create tiered electricity rates, allowing rural electric cooperatives to create market-based incentives to help drive smarter energy use, which could save customers money and cut energy use 1 to 5 percent. However, a bill that would have required large rural electric cooperatives to create energy efficiency programs similar to those already offered by Xcel Energy never made it out of the house chamber. Due in part to lobby efforts by Intermountain Rural Electric Association (IREA), the states largest co-op known for funding efforts to fight clean energy investment and global warming solutions. The bill would have saved $85 million and created 200 new jobs. "Energy efficiency investments were the cornerstone of the federal stimulus effort," said Pam Kiely, legislative program director of Environment Colorado. "So it is a huge disappointment that for the second year in a row the Colorado Legislature dropped the ball on a bill that would have created millions in savings for cash-strapped Coloradans. Yes we are a leader in the New Energy Economy, but we still have a patchwork of regulations covering the rural electricity providers and it's time for them to get with the program." Energy efficiency and weatherization programs did see a big boost from federal investment dollars receiving nearly $130 million under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Colorado also made important steps toward modernizing and maintaining a 21st Century transportation infrastructure. "A modern and healthy transportation system is critical to a healthy economy. Laying rail line or building a transit stop puts people to work," said Holman Carter, President of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1001. Known as FASTER, Senate Bill 108 created a dedicated revenue stream of funds to repair and maintain Colorado's road and bridge infrastructure for the first time in seventeen years. FASTER also marked a turning point for state transportation policy by dedicating $15 million annually to transit and multimodal safety. The federal economic stimulus package is also expected to bring more than $500 million in transit and transportation projects. "Colorado's turned a corner by investing in a 21st Century Transportation system," said Elise Jones, executive director of the Colorado Environmental Coalition. "Transportation solutions create good, green jobs while improving our energy security and cutting our dependence on oil." Colorado also passed landmark legislation to protect Colorado's air, water, wildlife, and communities from ever-increasing impacts of oil and gas drilling in the state. The legislation marks the end of a two-year long effort that included support from sportsmen, conservationists, local government officials, public health advocates, and rural landowners. "Gov. Ritter's showed incredible and bold leadership in creating a healthier energy industry, one that protects wildlife and our strong outdoor recreation economy," said Suzanne O'Neill, executive director of the Colorado Wildlife Federation." Ensuring that impacts by oil and gas drilling are minimized is essential to preserving local tourisms and service-based economies as well as the state's $10 billion a year outdoor recreation industry, including more than $3 billion in wildlife related activities. The national and state investments in clean energy and green transportation and the protections from oil and gas drilling impacts represent a comprehensive energy strategy for Colorado that both builds the New Energy Economy and promotes a healthy energy industry. Advocacy organizations stated that the year was a success in promoting "green recovery" policies, but more opportunities lie ahead on state energy efficiency goals, federal legislation to make Colorado a clean energy exporter, and state policies to grow the New Energy Economy. 2009 Environmental community-backed legislation Clean Energy Transportation Preservation and Wildlife |
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