Renewable Energy Plan Nears Nov

Renewable Energy Plan Nears Nov. Ballot in Colorado

Aug 04 - Rocky Mountain News

A group that wants to force Colorado utilities to use renewable energy resources for a portion of future electric power supplies filed petitions with the state Monday to put the issue on the November ballot.

Coloradans for Clean Energy, a group co- chaired by state House Speaker Lola Spradley, R-Beulah, and U.S. Rep Mark Udall, D-Colo., said it was submitting more than 113,000 signatures - only 67,829 qualified electors are required.

Spradley issued a statement declaring that "ranchers and farmers are ready to harvest a bumper crop of renewable energy that can bring important economic development to rural Colorado."

The idea failed to get through the legislature this year.

It would require utilities to get 10 percent of the electricity they provide from renewable sources by 2015.

"We do not think it is in our customers' best interests," said Xcel Energy spokesman Mark Stutz. "It calls for new energy resources to be added regardless of cost.

"Our customers could pay from $580 million to $1.5 billion more for their electricity during the next 20 years under this proposal, compared to current rates."

Monday was the final day for filing petitions for those hoping to place an issue before the state's voters.

Among the missing were the Bighorn Center for Public Policy and the Bell Policy Center, which last week announced they were dropping plans to get their fiscal fix for the state's budget on the ballot.

Also dropping out was tax protester Douglas Bruce's proposal to cut taxes and fees.

INFOBOX

November ballot issues

* Referendum A: State personnel system

* Referendum B: Obsolete constitutional provisions

* Amendment 34: Construction liability/property owners' rights

Petitions submitted

* Tobacco tax increase for health-related purposes

* Selection of presidential electors

* Renewable energy standard

* Student achievement testing (supporters concede that they lack sufficient signatures)

Didn't make it

* Employment restrictions on foreign company contracts by state government

* TABOR/Amendment 23: Government spending limits

* Religious text on public property

* Religious activities at graduation ceremonies

* Legal drinking age at 18

* Congressional and state redistricting

* Repeal Amendment 23: educational funding

* State wildlife management

* Regulation of private schools receiving public money

* U.S. constitutional convention - marriage

* Resident hunting and fishing license fees

* Gambling at dog and horse tracks

* Seating for employees

* Allocation of lottery proceeds

* Western Slope government

For far more extensive news on the energy/power visit: http://www.energycentral.com .