Colorado Senate Advances Higher Renewable Energy Standard

Inch by inch Colorado is drawing closer to getting 30% of its energy from renewable sources. The Denver Business Journal reports that the Colorado Senate just passed the bill and it now goes back to the House for final approval. An extra 10% is a large step forward for a healthier environment, reduced carbon footprint for the state, and job creation in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sector.

Also in that article was the mention of an announcement by the Governor Ritter, environmentalists, and Xcel Energy that legislation will be introduced called Colorado's Clean Air-Clean Jobs Act. This legislation will force the retrofit or replacement of Front Range coal-fired power plants with natural gas or other low-emitting energy sources by 2017. So let me get this straight: government, environmental advocates, and a power utility come together and create a forward-thinking plan for the good of Colorado's public's health and economy? Yes, coalitions can still be formed between disparate interests. Kudos to those three groups. The people of Colorado will thank you one day.