Here are some short summaries of the Colorado measure, looks like
you can read all the details at:
http://environmentcolorado.org/envcoenergy.asp?id2=13672&id3=DOenergy &
One shortfall is that small wind turbines were not included in a meaningful way
in either the wind or solar portions of the program, but otherwise it is pretty
significant!
Happy New Year,
Heather
Colorado RPS Ballot Initiative Successful
Since Nov. 2, Colorado has been lauded repeatedly for passing the first
Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) by ballot initiative. Colorado is the 17th
state to pass a state-wide RPS and currently produces 2 percent of energy
consumed from renewable sources. The RPS would impact Colorado utilities with
40,000 customers or more. The standard would take effect in Jan. 2007, when 3
percent of energy consumed will be from renewable sources. The state’s
utilities will be required to produce 6 percent of their energy from renewable
sources between 2011 and 2014 and 10 percent by 2015 and afterwards. The RPS
stipulates that at least 4 percent of renewable energy will be produced from
solar technologies and customers’ monthly residential electricity rate increases
will be capped at 50 cents. Applicable renewable technologies include energy
derived from wind, solar, geothermal heat, biomass, land-fill methane, animal
waste, hydrogen fuel cells, and small-scale hydroelectric. The measure also
establishes a renewable energy credit trading system for utilities unable to
meet the standard’s requirements and awards rebates to customers purchasing
photovoltaic systems.
Sources: Pew Center on Climate Change, Renewable Energy Policy Project
__________________________________________
COLORADO VOTERS PASS
RENEWABLE ENERGY INITIATIVE
__________________________________________
On election day, Colorado citizens voted in favor of Amendment 37, which will require Colorado’s top utilities to provide a percentage of their retail electricity sales from renewable resources beginning with 3% by 2007, increasing to 10% by 2015.
Colorado is the first in the nation to pass a renewable energy requirement through a statewide ballot initiative. Colorado now joins 17 other states with similar requirements.
Congressman Mark Udall (D) observed, “Today the people of Colorado have made a statement to utility companies that do business in Colorado. We know with certainty that wind power is cheaper than coal or gas generated electricity, and, as consumers, we want to diversify our energy supply and have energy resources that provide cleaner air and cheaper energy.”
Speaker of the Colorado House Lola Spradley (R) added, “When’s the last time you saw Republicans and Democrats working together to provide real life solutions for Colorado? It’s because we want to provide Colorado with more energy choices, as well as numerous jobs that help rural Colorado.”
The bipartisan coalition that supported Amendment 37 included farmers, ranchers, environmental groups, labor unions, business leaders, religious leaders, and newspaper editorial support.
According to Matt Baker, executive director of Environment Colorado, “this is a victory for clean air and energy independence for Coloradans. Now that the voters have spoken we look forward to working with utilities and other decision makers to promote renewable energy in Colorado.”
Energy research company Platts estimates that the passage of Amendment 37 will mean 1,200 MW of wind capacity in Colorado by 2015. In addition to 223 MW of wind capacity already generating power in Colorado, and 500 MW of additional wind that Xcel Energy has announced it is planning to acquire through bids, utilities in the state will need to develop roughly another 500 MW to meet the requirements of the standard.Heather Rhoads-Weaver
AWEA Small Turbine Advocate
2724 S. Elmwood Place
Seattle, WA 98144
206-568-0275 / cell 206-755-2064
efax 267-375-2984
smallwind@awea.org
www.awea.org/smallwind.html