With critical energy legislation pending before Congress, clean energy
supporters gathered in front of a large solar array held by the men and women
working in the solar industry.
“The sun will shine and the wind will blow to power the
New Energy Economy,” said U.S. Representative Mark Udall (D – Eldorado Springs).
“Colorado’s
made strong investments in clean energy. We can build that same vision in
Washington and put Colorado in a strong
position to be a renewable energy exporter."
Colorado, having
already taken important steps to develop renewable energy in the state, is
positioned to become a national leader in this new industry. Congress is
deciding as early as this week whether to adopt a federal 15 percent renewable
energy standard by 2020 and implement important federal production and
investment tax credits to encourage emerging renewable technology.
"A national renewable portfolio standard would spur the
market for vast amounts of clean wind energy, which would promote more
opportunities for economic growth in rural Colorado,” said Tom Fieler of Clipper Wind, an
international wind turbine manufacturing company. “This year alone, the wind
industry has invested over a billion dollars in Colorado.”
The extension of the production and investment tax
credits are seen as key to providing long-term stability to clean energy and
ensuring competitiveness in the market.
“The re-authorization of federal tax credits for
renewable energy technology is important for the sustainable growth of the solar
industry,” said Beth Hart, representative of AEE Solar and President of the
Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association. “Tax credits make it possible for
individuals to install clean technology on their homes and businesses and in a
few years, reap the economic benefits of this investment.”
In 2007 the legislature voted to double Colorado’s standard to 20
percent. According to a report by Environment Colorado, Colorado’s renewable
energy standard will create more than 4,100 new jobs, more than $570 million in
wages paid to workers and more than $1.9 billion added to our overall gross
domestic product through 2020.
Dennis Whalen, Business Manager of International
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 68, hailed the importance of federal
clean energy policies for job creation and economic growth. The pending
legislation is expected to create tens of thousands of new jobs.
“Clean energy is a clear win for Colorado’s job force,”
said Whalen. “Passing a federal renewable energy standard and extension of the
tax credits is essential for creating good, high-skilled jobs. States across the
country have shown their commitment to the New Energy Economy—now it’s time for
Washington to
step up to the plate and pass this crucial legislation.”
Colorado’s
potential to contribute the clean, renewable power to meet this standard is
enormous. From solar resources in the San
Luis Valley and geothermal potential in the Rocky Mountains, to
the vast wind resources on the Eastern Plains, Colorado can contribute a diversity of clean
energy resources to meet national demand. Colorado’s state renewable energy standard is
expected to create more than $50 million in lease payments to farmers and
landowners.
“Colorado’s Eastern Plains hold a bumper crop
of wind power,” said Benjamin Waters, Government Relations Representative of the
Rocky Mountain Farmers Union. “By making a national investment in clean energy,
Colorado
farmers will not only put food on the table, but also more wind power on the
wires.”
The amalgam of clean energy supporters included wind and
solar companies such as AEE Solar, Bella Energy, Clipper Wind Power, Coenergy,
Cool Energy, Five Star Consultants, Independent Power Systems, Lumos, Namaste
Solar Electric, REC Solar, Simple Solar, SolSource, SunFlower Solar, trade
organizations such as Interwest Energy Alliance and the Colorado Solar Energy
Industries Association, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, IBEW Local 68, Xcel
Energy, Environment Colorado, U.S. Representatives Diana DeGette, Ed Perlmutter,
and Mark Udall, and others.
More about the 15% renewable energy standard from Union
of Concerned Scientists:
- $13 billion to $18.1 billion in lower
electricity and natural gas bills by 2020 (growing to $27.7 billion to $31.8
billion by 2030)
- Increase in clean, renewable energy capacity
to between 3.6 and 4.5 times over 2005 levels
- Reductions in global warming pollution equal
to taking between 13.7 and 20.6 million cars off the road
