Obama Budget Brings Home the Green for Colorado

Environment Colorado

President Obama’s proposed federal budget for 2010 would recharge Colorado’s New Energy Economy, protect the environment, and jump start the fight against global warming according to a report released today by Environment Colorado.

“President Obama’s budget means a cleaner, greener, and more prosperous future for Colorado,” said Keith Hay, energy advocate at Environment Colorado.

The report, Vision 2010: President Obama’s Budget, Clean Energy and the Environment, estimates the proportion of the president’s proposed Fiscal Year 2010 federal budget that would be used to transition to clean energy by requiring global warming polluters to pay, clean up toxic waste, prevent water pollution, and recharge the state New Energy Economy.

“With over 88,000 people working today, Colorado investment in the New Energy Economy is paying dividends,” said Hay.

Environment Colorado presented a map highlighting locations of clean energy industries that could benefit from the $150 billion over 10 years that President Obama’s budget would invest nationally in renewable energy such as wind and solar. The proposed budget sets the stage for a new energy plan for America The map and report illustrated the following benefits for Colorado: that caps global warming pollution and drives the transformation to a clean energy economy.

• $10.48  billion over 10 years from making polluters pay for global warming pollution, if the revenues are apportioned by population;

• $570  million in Colorado taxpayer dollars that will no longer subsidize profits for Big Oil;
• 5 toxic waste sites could see accelerated clean up from reinstatement of a polluter pays fee expected to generate $17.2 billion in revenues over 10 years.

Environment Colorado pointed out that the latest global warming science means even deeper cuts in pollution in the next 10 years than the ones in the president’s budget will be required to prevent the catastrophic warming. 

“Ensuring that polluters pay is the right move for our environment and our economy. Even this sensible solution will face roadblocks from polluting interests,” said Hay.