Press Release- Mar 13, 2007
OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
TUESDAY, MAR. 13, 2007
Contact:
Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370
Laura Chapin, 303.866.6386
GOV. RITTER TESTIFIES IN SUPPORT OF BILL TO INCREASE COLORADO'S RENEWABLE ENERGY STANDARD
Gov. Bill Ritter today delivered the following testimony to the Senate State Affairs Committee in support of HB 1281, which would double Colorado's renewable energy portfolio to 20 percent by 2020. HB 1281 is the centerpiece of Gov. Ritter's agenda for developing Colorado's New Energy Economy. This was Ritter's first appearance as governor before a legislative committee:
"When Amendment 37 was passed in 2004, renewable resources provided less than 2 percent of the Xcel portfolio. By the end of this year, that percentage will be 10 percent.
"Colorado was the first and remains the only state in the union to pass an RPS (renewable portfolio standard) by initiative.
"The paradigm of renewable energy is changing - today, the very industries that opposed Amendment 37 are supporting doubling and expanding the standard.
"I want to congratulate the sponsors of this bill for bringing all stakeholders and interested parties to the table.
"Everyone may not get everything they want, but the bill represents a tremendous compromise on the part of all involved. That includes Tri-State, the Colorado Rural Electric Association, Xcel Energy, independent power producers, the renewable energy industry, Colorado Farmer's Union, Environment Colorado, Western Resources Advocates and labor groups.
"The result is well-crafted policy for the people of Colorado.
"What we're seeing is that the state's commitment to a strong renewable portfolio can be a catalyst for the New Energy Economy. It's already helping us attract interest from national and international renewable energy development companies: