Colorado Enacts 20% RPS; Munis and Co-ops 10%

[jpak]

http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=48003

In a formality central to his "New Energy Economy" pledge, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter (D) signed two bills last week that will work in tandem: one doubling the state's renewable portfolio standard (RPS) to 20% for investor-owned utilities and the other aimed at getting the transmission built that's crucial to connecting renewable energy resources with load centers.

House Bill 1281 doubles the renewable energy standard established by voters with the 2004 passage of Amendment 37. Large investor-owned utilities must now obtain 20% of their electricity from renewable sources such as wind and solar by 2020.

The bill also is significant in that it requires municipal utilities and rural electric providers to achieve a renewable energy goal of 10% by 2020; such entities had been excluded from the requirements of Amendment 37.

"By doubling the RPS, Colorado is reaffirming its commitment to maintaining national leadership in renewable energy development," Interwest Energy Alliance Executive Director Craig Cox. "Colorado was the first state to pass an RPS at the ballot box, and Governor Ritter's endorsement of a doubled RPS shows he is determined to fashion the 'new energy economy' around which he built his campaign last fall."

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[DCKit]

1. And of course the Repukes are going to come out swinging

"This is going to cost the people of Colorado.... "

"He's going to ruin our way of life"

"Renewable energy is too expensive"

"There is no energy shortage"

"Think about the CHILDREN!"

[Dogmudgeon]

2. Phew!

With all those acronyms, I thought you were posting something about Scientology.

--p!