Colorado
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In partnership with |
CONTACT
Carmen Rhodes
Executive Director
FRESC (Front Range Economic Strategy Center)
Main: (303) 477-6111 x 11
Fax: (303) 477-6123
crhodes(at)fresc.org
140 Sheridan Blvd.
Denver, CO 80226
What’s New
On Monday, March 29th, Governor Ritter signed HB 1001, putting the finishing touch on a landmark measure to increase Colorado’s renewable energy standard (RES) from 20% to 30% by 2020. The law opens up a new frontier of renewable energy investment and jobs in Colorado, creating an expansive market for increased development of solar, energy, agricultural biomass and other innovative technologies. Members of the Colorado Apollo Alliance played key roles in crafting the bill and ensuring its passage through the Colorado legislature.
“Today we’ve truly hit it out of the park, taking Colorado’s vision for a new energy future to the big leagues,” said Pam Kiely, program director of Environment Colorado. “Over four short years we’ve tripled our commitment to renewable energy, and by taking a bold swing at the time when our energy challenges are the most profound we’ve proven to the nation that Colorado can step up to the plate and deliver.”
As is true in other states, Colorado’s RES has multiple benefits. At the top of the list is a reduction of greenhouse gas pollution. By mandating a renewable target, the RES enforces corresponding reductions in fossil fuel use. At the same time, the higher standard creates the market certainty that brings to the state new jobs and business investment in emerging renewable technologies. Colorado’s solar energy economy, for example, already features 230 companies and employs more than 2,500 people.
To ensure that the work of developing Colorado’s new energy economy is done right, the new law builds in consumer and worker protections. In the area of solar energy, the law requires set ratios of workers on a jobsite who are certified to supervise photovoltaic installation.
“This legislation makes Colorado a leader in clean energy as well as a leader in ensuring that workers are adequately trained and safe as we work together to make the New Energy Economy a reality,” said Mary Broderick, a Renewable Energy Agent with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 68. IBEW worked closely with the Colorado Solar Energy Industry Association to arrive at policy that makes sense for the workforce, contractors and consumers.
For large-scale renewable energy resources such as wind farms and solar thermal facilities, the new RES law directs the state utilities commission to consider “best value” factors affecting employment and the economic health of Colorado communities when approving resource plans. Such factors include the availability of apprenticeship programs, employment of Colorado workers, long-term career opportunities, and industry-standard wages, health care, and pension benefits. This creative approach was the product of close collaboration between environmental and labor members of the Colorado Apollo Alliance.
“We are proving that we can both clean up our environment and create a sustainable economy for workers at the same time,” said Neal Hall, business manager for the Colorado Building and Construction Trades Council. “We’re proud of the bold steps the state has taken.”
In the race to develop clean energy, Colorado is once again setting the pace. As the state’s innovative RES enlarges the renewables market, it will continue to inspire a culture of homegrown energy. “Today, Colorado renews its status as a national clean energy leader,” said Elise Jones, executive director of the Colorado Environmental Coalition. “This great achievement not only attracts new business investment and jobs to our state. It also enables more homeowners and businesses to become producers in the new energy economy.”
The Colorado Apollo alliance held a successful roll-out event for The New Apollo Program in 2008.
Organizational Members of the Colorado Apollo Alliance:
FRESC
IBEW Local 68
Laborers Local 720
Colorado Environmental Council
Environment Colorado
Alliance for a Sustainable Colorado
Sierra Club
Colorado AFL-CIO
Denver Area Labor Federation
Colorado Building and Construction Trades Council
