Colorado House Speaker Fends off Opposition to Energy Bill

Colorado House Speaker Fends off Opposition to Energy Bill

The Pueblo Chieftain, Colo. - April 20, 2004

House Speaker Lola Spradley made another spirited defense Monday of a proposal that could make Southeastern Colorado and other rural areas the state's leaders in renewable energy.

A final House vote on SB168 could come today. If approved, the bill would move back to the Senate for its review. The legislation includes much of the same language as an earlier proposal that was killed in the Senate by one vote. Spradley said she's hopeful subsequent changes will lead to Senate passage.

During House debate on the resurrected proposal on Monday, state Rep. Matt Smith, R-Grand Junction, raised some complaints, although he stopped short of voicing outright opposition.

Smith, a candidate for 3rd District Congress, targeted a single provision within the measure: the recognition that some parts of any new wind farms could extend 15 miles beyond the state's borders.

His effort to strike the allowance for multistate cooperation fell short.

Spradley, R-Beulah, characterized Smith's proposed change as a potential deal killer.

Beyond the modest market guarantees offered by SB168, the industry needs -- and wants -- at least some flexibility on where to locate wind farms along the state's border, she said.

"This has been worked out with the industry to make it economical," Spradley said.

Spradley maintains the measure will give Southeastern Colorado and other rural areas a much needed boost in economic development by making them attractive for companies searching for sites to develop renewable energy such as wind power. Thirteen states have previously passed a similar measure, she said.

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