Ritter will sign bill to double renewable energy

Over two years after voters required that utilities get 10 percent of their power from renewable sources, Colorado is poised to double that requirement.

The House and Senate gave final approval Friday to a measure (House Bill 1281) that would require large utilities like Xcel Energy and Aquila to get at least 20 percent of their electricity from renewable sources like wind and the sun by 2020. Rural electric cooperatives and all but the smallest municipal utilities would have to get to 10 percent by then.

Gov. Bill Ritter said he would sign the bill, which he called the centerpiece of his renewable energy agenda. He said it will help stimulate the economies of the Eastern Plains and the San Luis Valley where there is so much wind, sun and farmland.

"The bill will help us attract manufacturers of wind turbines and solar products. It also will stimulate research and development of emerging energy technologies," Ritter said in a statement.

Colorado became the first state to pass a renewable energy standard by citizen initiative in November 2004 after the legislature rejected similar proposals. Unlike Amendment 37, this year's bill will require rural cooperatives to use renewable energy for the first time.

Will Coyne of Environment Colorado said that makes sense since the cooperatives are located in areas that produce most of the state's wind and solar power. His group estimates that doubling the standard will pump $1.9 billion into the state's economy through 2020.

"I think that Coloradans have realized that the practical benefits are overwhelming," Coyne said.