State senators share ideas, discuss bills

MONTROSE  — Two Colorado senators where in Montrose Saturday to discuss their views on 2008 energy legislation during Delta-Montrose Electrical Association’s Renewable Energy Forum and Expo.

Democratic State Senator Gail Schwartz joined republican State Senator Josh Penry on stage in the Montrose Pavilion auditorium. The two senators discussed several bills, which have been hot topics for both parties.

March 27, Governor Bill Ritter signed two bills with the hope to boost the use of renewable energy within the state.

HB 1281 doubles the state’s renewable energy portfolio standard, requiring investor-owned utilities to draw on renewable energy for 20 percent of their electricity supply by 2020, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

“We are finding this is a good investment. To really encourage them to double that standard, to say you can do better, we can do better, is a real fine accomplishment,” Schwartz said, who was a sponsor of the bill.

Schwartz also discussed Senate Bill 100, which was also signed by Ritter March 27.

The bill requires electric utilities subject to rate regulations to identify high-potential wind-energy location by undertaking reviews to designate “Energy Resource Zones” where transmission constraints hinder the delivery of electricity, according to Ritter’s state Web site.

The bill then requires those utilities to develop construction plans to improve transmission capacity. The requirements are so that companies don’t build turbines until there is adequate transmission capacity and utilities don’t build transmission capacity until there are turbines.

Though Penry disagreed with parts of HB 1281, both senators agreed Colorado can be a leader in renewable energy and work toward energy efficiency.

“This is our chance,” Schwartz said. “It’s a beginning — the foundation to move us forward.”

Schwartz also met with Montrose’s Young Democrats group Saturday morning at city council member Noelle Hagen’s home. Hagen said about 20 young adults attended the gathering and discussed how to capture political interest of the younger generation.

“Regardless of party affiliation, we’re all concerned with getting people interested ... how to capture that age group,” she said. “For an elective office to take time to show up, that is a great signal to send to young people.”

Contact Kati O’Hare via e-mail at katio@montrosepress.com