(Colorado renewable) Energy standard renewed, doubled

[jpak]

http://www.environmentcolorado.org/envcopreserve.asp?id2=30409&id3=DO

DENVER, CO: Legislation to double Colorado's renewable energy standard - the cornerstone to this year's clean energy agenda - was introduced today by Representatives Jack Pommer (D - Boulder) and Rob Witwer (R- Genesee) and Senators Gail Schwartz (D - Snowmass Village) and Ken Kester (R – Las Animas).

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

"Today, the legislature introduced a bill that will become a cornerstone for Colorado’s New Energy Economy,” said Will Coyne, Program Director of Environment Colorado. “Doubling our use of renewable energy to 20% by 2020 will protect our air, cut global warming pollution, and increase our energy security.”

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[amitten]

1. Yay!

:party:

It's not enough, but it's a really good start!