http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/new-report-shows-colorado-warming-more-than-the-rest-of-continental-us-in-recent-years Denver—Nearly http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/new-report-shows-colorado-warming-more-than-the-rest-of-continental-us-in-recent-years Tue, 22 May 2007 14:04:53 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/groups-support-science-based-climate-protection-policies-for-2008 Global warming poses a number of http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/groups-support-science-based-climate-protection-policies-for-2008 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 18:32:26 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/intermountain-rural-electric-association-gives-100000-to-global-warming-skeptic http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/intermountain-rural-electric-association-gives-100000-to-global-warming-skeptic Tue, 22 May 2007 14:06:09 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/new-report-colorado-global-warming-pollution-up-221-percent-since-1960 DENVER—Global warming pollution in Colorado jumped 221 pecent between 1960 and 2001, according to "The Carbon Boom," http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/new-report-colorado-global-warming-pollution-up-221-percent-since-1960 Tue, 22 May 2007 14:12:25 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/global-warming-solutions-that-work Colorado’s success shows way forward for federal action on global warming Denver, CO—Today, Environment Colorado released a new report, Global Warming Solutions That Work, which details more than twenty examples of cutting-edge policies and practices communities, states and countries are using to reduce global warming pollution. The report highlights work in Denver and across the state, noting the investment in new rail lines, expansion of renewable energy development, and the building of an affordable zero-energy home. Colorado also recently passed legislation to include the cost of global warming pollution when making decisions about future energy production and use. “Despite recent setbacks in Congress to pass global warming legislation, the report provides a way forward and a hopeful message for how we can tackle this problem,” said Keith Hay, Energy Advocate at Environment Colorado. Colorado has talked the talked and is walking the walk to fight global warming. The example set by cites and states across the nation and around the world provide a clear roadmap for national action. For the United States to achieve the emission reductions that science tells us are necessary – cutting emissions by at least 15-20 percent by 2020 and by 80 percent by 2050 – requires major changes in many areas of America’s economy, from the increased use of clean, renewable energy to dramatic improvements in the efficiency with which we use energy in our homes, businesses, and vehicles. Solutions exist today that can get us much of the way there. Best yet, communities across the country – and around the globe – are putting those solutions into practice. “The science is clear, if we don’t act quickly and boldly to reduce our emissions of global warming pollutants, Colorado will face less snow, more drought, hotter summers, and increased fire risk,” said Hay. “We must act quickly to cut global warming pollution, otherwise Colorado’s environment, economy, and way of life are at risk.” The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which includes Colorado researchers from the National Center of Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Boulder as well as Colorado State University, made clear in a seminal report last year that we must reduce our emissions of global warming pollutants quickly and dramatically in order to avoid the most catastrophic, long-term effects of global warming. Specifically, the most important task of any U.S. effort to address global warming must be to achieve significant domestic emission reductions as soon as possible. “The flipside of the global warming challenge is clean energy opportunity, said Hay. “In Colorado we have seen that producing more renewable energy has meant more green collar jobs and reduced energy costs for Coloradans.” With the installation of an additional 775 megawatts of wind power last year alone, Xcel Energy now gets about 10 percent of its power from wind. As a result of this rapid move to renewable energy, Colorado has seen an explosion of clean, green jobs like the opening of the Vestas wind blade manufacturing plant in Windsor. “Colorado’s leadership in adopting clean, pollution-free energy resources such as wind and solar has created many new economic benefits,” said Craig Cox, executive director of the Interwest Energy Alliance. “Rural localities have seen job growth and new economic benefits as wind and solar plants are built, while other communities are gaining new manufacturing facilities, providing many new, permanent jobs. The long-term cost stability of electricity generated from renewable energy sources should act as a hedge against the increasing unpredictability of fossil fuel prices.” The report’s authors conclude that the federal government should build upon the successes of the efforts outlined in the report by setting mandatory, science-based caps on global warming pollution, adopting strong clean energy policies, and investing in the transition to a low-carbon economy. The federal government should adopt mandatory, science-based caps on global warming pollution. At minimum, those caps should be consistent with a national goal of reducing emissions by 15-20 percent below today’s levels by 2020 and by at least 80 percent below today’s levels by 2050. Revenues from any program that puts a price on global warming pollution should be used to aid in the transition to a clean energy economy and to reduce the cost of emissions reduction to consumers. Cities, states and the federal government should make energy efficiency improvements and accelerated development of renewable energy the centerpieces of their environmental and economic development policies. Advanced building energy codes; strong energy efficiency standards for buildings, appliances and vehicles; and mandatory targets for renewable power generation and energy efficiency savings are among the policies that can reduce global warming pollution and put the nation on a clean energy path. Global warming and fossil fuel dependence should become central considerations in land-use planning and public sector investment decisions. America should increase its investment in public transportation and rail transportation to reduce emissions from the transit sector. All new public buildings should meet rigorous standards for energy efficiency and the increase the use of clean energy. “Only bold, science-based action can stave off catastrophic effects of global warming,” concludes Hay. “We strongly urge our Colorado’s Congressional delegation to support investment in renewable energy and strong global warming legislation.” #30# http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/global-warming-solutions-that-work Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:23:00 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/sunny-skies-over-a-colorado-solution http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/sunny-skies-over-a-colorado-solution Mon, 02 Jun 2008 16:32:38 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/colorado-joins-30-other-states-for-action-on-global-warming DENVER—Today, Colorado becomes one of 31 charter member states of The Climate Registry, representing over 70% of the U.S. population, marking the largest national effort to take action on climate change. http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/colorado-joins-30-other-states-for-action-on-global-warming Tue, 22 May 2007 13:38:28 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/new-carper-bill-allows-power-plant-owners-to-avoid-global-warming-reductions We http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/new-carper-bill-allows-power-plant-owners-to-avoid-global-warming-reductions Tue, 22 May 2007 14:14:43 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/no-more-blue-light-special-for-global-warming Bill would put price tag on global warming pollution and direct investment in solar power plants Denver – Today, the Senate Local Government Committee heard expert testimony on a bill that would end the “blue light special” on global warming pollution in Colorado. House Bill 1164 “New Solar Energy Technologies” would do this by putting a price tag on carbon pollution and direct energy investments into cleaner technologies. “The writing is on the wall—global warming pollution has a price. The investment community is already begging to look at global warming pollution as a financial risk. It’s a wise move for Colorado to follow investment leaders and consider the future cost of global warming pollution, said Johann Klaassen, Vice President at First Affirmative Financial Network, LLC. “Putting a price tag on global warming pollution is an important signal to create sound energy investments.” In fact, more than a dozen major investment firm leaders, such as Merrill Lynch, Pax World Funds, and Calvert, are calling for national action on global warming and the need to incorporate the costs of global warming pollution. Two months ago, Bank of America announced that it would estimate the cost of carbon pollution between $20 and $40 per ton when assessing risk and underwriting financing for electricity projects. “Colorado should end the blue-light special for global warming pollution,” said Pam Kiely, legislative program director for Environment Colorado. “Global warming will have a high cost for our environment and our state. By putting a price tag on global warming pollution, Colorado will make sounder investments in the New Energy Economy.” The bill takes a two-pronged approach. First, it directs the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to consider the future cost of carbon pollution in deciding whether investor-owned utilities should buy energy from resources, such as coal plants, wind farms or solar power plants. Second, the bill directs the PUC to consider the environmental and economic benefits of new energy technologies such as solar power plants (also known as “concentrated solar power”), helping to level the playing field for clean energy technologies. Also set to testify this afternoon is Dr. Kevin Trenberth, who heads-up the Climate Analysis Section at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder and was a lead author on the fourth Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessment. The IPCC is a scientific intergovernmental body which includes scientists and researchers from Colorado State University, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency in Boulder, and NCAR. “The science is clear; the Earth has a fever that is going to get worse if we fail to address its causes,” said Dr. Trenberth. “According to the world’s leading scientists on global warming, the evidence is unequivocal that human activities and, in particular energy production, are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions and contributor to global warming.” As Colorado’s population and energy needs grow, Colorado will need to make important choices about how the state meets those needs. According to a recent report by the Governor’s Energy Office, Connecting Colorado’s Renewable Resources to the Markets, Colorado has the resource potential to meet energy demand with solar power plants. Mark Mehos is Program Manager of the Concentrating Solar Power Program at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and talked about the potential for utility-scale solar power plant development. “Colorado could meet half of our future electricity needs by using only two percent of the best solar resources in Colorado,” said Mehos. “For more than twenty years now, solar power plants in the United States have been generating clean, reliable electricity. With the ability to store power for six hours or more, solar power plants can generate electricity in the evening and at night and provide a pollution-free alternative to natural gas now and to coal in the future.” Solar power plants are the next step in building the new energy economy. These plants will bring an economic boost to rural, southern Colorado, and in particular the San Luis Valley. Solar power plants the size of a medium coal plant could bring in between $2 and $4 billion in private investment and could create hundreds of construction jobs and over 250 permanent, high-paying jobs. http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/no-more-blue-light-special-for-global-warming Tue, 08 Apr 2008 17:36:43 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/worlds-scientists-global-warming-could-wipe-out-1/4-of-all-species DENVER—Approximately http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/worlds-scientists-global-warming-could-wipe-out-1/4-of-all-species Tue, 22 May 2007 13:57:20 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/a-call-to-action-on-earth-day DENVER—Gathering http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/a-call-to-action-on-earth-day Mon, 12 Mar 2007 17:49:51 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/supreme-court-gives-green-light-for-colorado-to-make-cars-cleaner DENVER—Environment http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/supreme-court-gives-green-light-for-colorado-to-make-cars-cleaner Tue, 22 May 2007 14:00:44 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/people-of-faith-to-step-it-up-for-global-warming-rep_-degette-joins DENVER—Today, http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/people-of-faith-to-step-it-up-for-global-warming-rep_-degette-joins Tue, 22 May 2007 13:43:48 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/environmentalists-laud-gov_-ritters-selection-of-climate-change-policy-advisor The following is a press statement from Matt Baker, Executive Director of Environment Colorado: http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/environmentalists-laud-gov_-ritters-selection-of-climate-change-policy-advisor Tue, 22 May 2007 13:42:04 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/colorados-carbon-boom DENVER—Global warming pollution in Colorado increased by 38% between 1990 and 2004, according to The Carbon Boom, http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/colorados-carbon-boom Tue, 22 May 2007 13:46:02 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/ignoring-science-and-law-bush-administration-blocks-state-progress-on-curbing-global-warming-emissions-from-cars PRESS RELEASE For immediate release: Contact: Friday, February 29th, 2008 Keith Hay, Energy Advocate Office (303) 573-3871 Mobile (510) 502-9491 IGNORING SCIENCE AND LAW, BUSH ADMINISTRATION BLOCKS STATE PROGRESS ON CURBING GLOBAL WARMING EMISSIONS FROM CARS Denver, CO—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency formally denied California’s request for a Clean Air Act waiver of preemption today, blocking the efforts of thirteen states that seek to require automakers to cut pollution from automobile tailpipes. “The EPA has turned a blind eye to science, law and the critical role that the states are playing in tackling global warming,” said Keith Hay, energy advocate for Environment Colorado. “With the leadership of Governor Ritter, Colorado is on track to make our cars cleaner. The Bush administration needs to get out of the way and let our state take action to fight global warming and protect Colorado consumers.” In late 2004, California adopted first-of-their-kind standards requiring cars and light-duty trucks to limit emissions that contribute to global warming. Since then, 12 other states—Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington—have adopted the tailpipe standards that will cut emissions from new automobiles by 30 percent by 2016. Colorado is among at least four other states, including Arizona, Minnesota and Florida that are moving ahead with adoption of the program. Adoption of the Clean Cars program is an important piece of Governor Ritter’s climate action plan. If implemented, the state would avoid emitting about 11 million metric tons of global warming pollution, an amount equivalent to taking 2 million cars off the road. Colorado consumers would benefit as well, saving an annual $600 million by 2020 and $3 billion from the time it was implemented. "The denial of the waiver is a criminal political game with real consequences for Colorado's recreation based economy, which depends on stable climate," said Auden Schendler, Executive Director of Community and Environmental Responsibility for Aspen Skiing Company, one of the country's largest ski resorts. "Gov. Ritter's Climate Action plan, including adopting clean cars, helps protect Colorado's outdoor lifestyle and businesses." The EPA sat for two years on California’s request for a waiver under the Clean Air Act before EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson announced in December 2007 that the agency would bar implementation of the standards. Now, there is evidence that Administrator Johnson acted against a unanimous recommendation of the agency’s professional staff. “The agency’s failure to give states the go-ahead marks a clear political choice to cater to powerful special interests rather than moving America forward in the fight against global warming,” continued Hay. California and more than a dozen other states have filed suit against the EPA for failing to heed science and the law in denying California’s request for a federal waiver of pre-emption under section 209(b) of the federal Clean Air Act. In addition, Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) has introduced legislation (S. 2555) that would grant the federal waiver for California, allowing that state and others to move forward with the program. Environment Colorado is working to ensure that Senators Salazar and Allard support the legislation that will give states like our own the green light to put clean cars on the road. # # # Environment Colorado is a statewide nonprofit nonpartisan environmental advocacy organization dedicated to clean air, clean water and open space. http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/ignoring-science-and-law-bush-administration-blocks-state-progress-on-curbing-global-warming-emissions-from-cars Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:17:48 -0600 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/western-state-governors-global-warming-announcement-prompts-call-to-action DENVER—In http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/western-state-governors-global-warming-announcement-prompts-call-to-action Tue, 22 May 2007 14:01:52 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/meeting-the-governors-challenge-to-stop-global-warming Read the Report. Environment Colorado http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/meeting-the-governors-challenge-to-stop-global-warming Tue, 18 Dec 2007 11:45:28 -0600 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/when-it-rains-it-pours Scientists have said for years that global warming was “loading the dice” when http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/when-it-rains-it-pours Wed, 05 Dec 2007 10:39:35 -0600 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/clean-cars-a-clear-win-for-colorado Clean Cars Program hailed as key http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/clean-cars-a-clear-win-for-colorado Wed, 21 Nov 2007 12:11:16 -0600 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/colorado---a-rising-energy-star http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/colorado---a-rising-energy-star Wed, 14 Nov 2007 12:33:46 -0600 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/colorado-takes-action-on-global-warming http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/colorado-takes-action-on-global-warming Mon, 05 Nov 2007 18:20:32 -0600 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/president-to-offer-lofty-goals-with-dirty-details-on-energy-and-global-warming “In http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/president-to-offer-lofty-goals-with-dirty-details-on-energy-and-global-warming Tue, 22 May 2007 14:04:06 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/colorado-puts-green-foot-on-the-gas http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/colorado-puts-green-foot-on-the-gas Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:49:41 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/oil-shale-is-a-false-promise-and-bad-investment For More http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/oil-shale-is-a-false-promise-and-bad-investment Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:17:05 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/park-in-to-drive-down-pain-at-the-pump http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/park-in-to-drive-down-pain-at-the-pump Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:56:25 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/colorados-senators-go-different-ways-on-global-warming Keith Hay http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/colorados-senators-go-different-ways-on-global-warming Fri, 06 Jun 2008 12:46:52 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/senator-gordon-introduces-bill-to-study-profitable-solutions-to-global-warming Yesterday, http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/senator-gordon-introduces-bill-to-study-profitable-solutions-to-global-warming Tue, 22 May 2007 14:15:36 -0500