Colorado Remains The Beacon of Hope in an Otherwise Unsure Future

While consumption of crude oil in the United States will increase undoubtedly over the next 20 years, the United States is no longer the only mass consumer. Worldwide, demand is estimated to increase 49% by 2035. This includes countries, who historically have had little impact on the world energy supply, increasing by 89% from 2007-2035. Yet, The United States has still failed repeatedly to answer the call for energy independence. Recent polls show that three in four voters support investing in energy efficiency or renewable energy, yet there has been no major environmental legislation passed in the United States since the 1970’s. The United States has refused to halt the dependence on foreign oil and sadly, this course will only end in disaster. Without a major improvement in energy efficiency and renewable energy production, American’s will find that fossil fuels will not be able to provide for a growing American population. If we have chosen our destiny, we will only face the consequences in near future.

However, through the darkness, a light has emerged in the Rocky Mountain’s shadow- Colorado. Colorado has become an exception to the tragedy destined mean. Despite economic turmoil, Colorado has refused to give into cheap fossil fuels and has continuously invested in renewable energy. On March 5^th of this year, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter proposed the Colorado Clean Air-Clean Job’s Act. This groundbreaking legislation will close 2 coal-fired plants by 2017 and replace them with natural gas and renewable energy sources, both of which can be found locally and will provide much cleaner, safer sources of energy. This isn’t the only advance Colorado has made this year in renewable energy either. Just three days after proposing the Colorado Clean Air-Clean Job’s Act, CO legislature updated a different bill. While in 2004, voters passed renewable energy requirements to fulfill 10% of Colorado's energy usage by 2015, the newest bill (HB 1001) tripled this requirement to 30% by 2020. This will not only lead to 100,000 solar rooftops over the next decade but will also protect rates and health of constituents.

Colorado legislation has succeeded due to three energy legislation necessities that must be adopted country wide: high standards, cooperative utilities and future oriented leaders. By setting such high standards of improvement, Colorado has thrust itself into innovation. In addition to their stringent emissions and consumption standards, Colorado has become the first state to enforce installment standards of renewable energy by requiring specific training in installing systems. While states like Virginia allow any contractor or electrician to install the complicated systems, Colorado enforces its training standards to protect the consumer against faulty systems, adding to the industries credibility. Secondly, Colorado has cooperative power providers. For too long electricity providers have fought renewable energy, threatened by its competition rather than embracing its power. As well as supporting all improvements to the HB 1001, Xcel Energy (the states largest power provider) has given support and is working with the Department of Health and Environment to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions of coal powered plants by 70-80 percent in this time frame too. Lastly, Colorado has innovative and future-sighted leaders. Rather than providing subsidies for fossil fuels that are nearly 6 times as large as that of clean energy like in Washington, Colorado is looking towards it’s future for its voters. Senators on Capital Hill like CO Democrats Mark Udall and Michael Bennet seem to be working alone in the fight for energy independence and environmental protection.

The energy bill proposed in 2004 has already helped model US legislation like the US Clean Energy Bill, a bill not surprisingly voted down last month in Washington. In addition, Colorado has already influenced states like California in invest in renewable energy. On the very same day that Gov. Ritter announced the passage of new, more stringent renewable energy requirements, California Gov. Schwarzenegger announced actions to rapidly increase renewable energy projects.

Colorado and its voters have provided a blue print for clean energy legislation across America. Due to their leadership, 29 states now have renewable energy goals for the near future. We can only hope that the trend continues and we fight for energy independence while we still have the option. I am afraid, if we don’t adopt the standards proposed by Colorado voters soon, it might be too late.

Timothy A Reese