Friday, March 16, 2007

RITTER HAILS PASSAGE OF HALLMARK RENEWABLE ENERGY LEGISLATION


GOVERNOR RITTER HAILS PASSAGE OF
HALLMARK RENEWABLE ENERGY LEGISLATION
 
Gov. Bill Ritter today hailed the final passage of House Bill 1281, the legislative centerpiece of his 2007 renewable energy agenda for Colorado.
 
"I applaud lawmakers from both parties for their bipartisan cooperation and vision as they work to enact Colorado's New Energy Economy," Ritter said. "In 2004, when Colorado voters overwhelmingly approved Amendment 37, we became the first state in the country to set renewable energy standards by citizen initiative.
 
"We're making history yet again with HB 1281 by expanding those standards and continuing to establish Colorado as the nation's renewable energy leader."
 
The governor congratulated lawmakers, investor-owned utilities, rural electric associations, environmental organizations, labor groups, consumer advocates and others for their collaborative efforts in shaping HB 1281.
 
"HB 1281 will help stimulate the rural areas at the heart of the New Energy Economy -- regions like the Eastern Plains and San Luis Valley where wind, sun and agriculture are abundant," Ritter said. "The bill will help us attract manufacturers of wind turbines and solar products. It also will stimulate research and development of emerging energy technologies.
 
"And by expanding our renewable energy production and consumption, we'll reduce our reliance on foreign oil, which is good for our environment and our national security.
 
"I look forward to signing HB 1281 and the remainder of the New Energy Economy legislative package very soon," the governor added.