New Energy Future In the News

Two summers ago, Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth swept the nation. Moviegoers from coast to coast streamed out of theaters haunted by images of receding glaciers and elected officials sitting around, doing nothing to fight global warming.

Here in Colorado, electricity production creates more than one-third of our pollution, which makes cleaning up this sector one of the most important things we can do.

The good news is that we've already started. Colorado's New Energy Economy holds the promise of a collective, homegrown solution to global warming and high energy costs. In 2004, voters took the first step by approving Amendment 37, the first citizen-initiated renewable-energy standard. Since then, we have doubled that original goal. By 2020, 20 percent of our energy will come from clean, reliable sources.

But more needs to be done. To protect our air, land and water, Coloradans are ready to take an active part in building an economy powered by sustainable resources.

Unfortunately, becoming part of the solution can come with a hefty price tag. Simply put, homegrown power is not cheap. The cost for an average home solar system can approach $25,000. Even with incentives from local utilities, homeowners might still have to pay nearly one-half of the total cost to get solar panels up and running - an upfront cost that is often prohibitive. Large-scale home energy-efficiency improvements, or individual wind turbines, are pricey, too.

The solution? Give cities and counties the tools they need to help consumers afford the upfront costs. HB 1350, which Gov. Bill Ritter recently signed into law, is this bold step. The legislation enables cities and counties to provide low-interest loans for clean-energy improvements. After all, cutting utility costs for consumers and feeding more clean energy into the grid are in the state's best interests.

Increasing our commitment to homegrown power will fundamentally transform how and where we get our energy. By tackling upfront costs, HB 1350 provides an opportunity for every home, farm, ranch and small business in Colorado to reduce pollution and join the new energy economy. More Coloradans will immediately have a chance to cut their monthly utility bills and realize long-term savings.

In addition, diversifying our energy portfolio translates into energy independence, enhanced reliability and billions of dollars in saved transmission and capital costs. The less demand there is on the grid, the less need there is to build costly coal and natural gas plants.

In 2004, Colorado had less than 1 megawatt of solar installed. By 2007, that number had jumped to 24 MW. As a result, residential renewable-energy businesses have tripled in just over three years, with job growth above 3,000 percent. As we install clean energy in more homes, the clean-energy industry will create more high-paying jobs for the Colorado economy.

So, don't worry if you were one of those leaving the movie theater searching for a way to get involved - Colorado's New Energy Economy is coming soon to a home near you. By thinking outside the box just a little - and taking bold steps paving the way for clean-energy financing programs - we can help create the opportunity for everyone to play a meaningful role. At the end of the day, it's important that we're all part of the Colorado solution to global warming.

Rep. Alice Madden, D-Boulder, is the majority leader of the Colorado House of Representatives. Pam Kiely is the legislative program director for Environment Colorado.