Press Release- May 17, 2007
OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
THURSDAY, MAY 73, 2007
Contact:
Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370
GOV. RITTER MEETS WITH SWEDISH PRIME MINISTER, TOUTS COLORADO¿S NEW ENERGY ECONOMY
Gov. Bill Ritter met today with Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt and other Swedish officials, touting Colorado's New Energy Economy and the state's role in addressing climate change issues.
"Colorado is quickly establishing itself as the renewable energy capital of the country," Gov. Ritter said. "We have the natural resources, the intellectual resources and the entrepreneurial spirit that set us apart from every other state. That powerful combination of factors is attracting the attention of leaders from around the world."
Gov. Ritter, Economic Development Director Don Elliman, climate change adviser Heidi VanGenderen and other members of the administration met with Prime Minister Reinfeldt for about 30 minutes. Before the meeting, the Prime Minister and other members of his delegation toured the National Renewable Energy Laboratory outside of Golden.
"NREL, along with Colorado's esteemed research universities and institutions, is another example of how we are harnessing all of our assets and putting them to work as part of the New Energy Economy," Gov. Ritter said.
This was the first visit by a foreign head of state to Gov. Ritter.
The Prime Minister on Wednesday met with California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. On Tuesday, he visited with President Bush in Washington and testified before a Congressional panel. Sweden is considered one of the world's leaders when it comes to reducing its dependence on oil and other petroleum products.
Other members of the Swedish delegation:
Ms. Nicola Clase, State Secretary to the Prime Minister;
Mr. Gunnar Lund, Ambassador of Sweden to the U.S.;
Mr. Anders Turesson, Senior Adviser, Ministry of the Environment;
Mr. Thomas Rosander, Consul General, Los Angeles;
Mr. Donald Peterson, Honorary Consul for Sweden for the Rocky Mountains.