News Article


Call for renewable energy resources grows
02/25/02 - Denver Post

A new study issued last week by the Colorado Public Interest Research Group concludes that an aggressive renewable energy program might serve to stimulate the economy of western states like Colorado, while saving consumers billions of dollars.

Many western states are showing increased interest in tapping into renewable energy resources. Nevada recently passed this nation's most aggressive renewable energy standard. A phased state program is scheduled to begin next year with 5 percent of electrical power coming from renewable sources and increasing to 15 percent by 2013.

Two different energy bills are currently circulating in the US Senate, calling for renewable energy requirements that range from 10 to 20 percent. If either bill passes, every state would be required to develop an energy plan that met the requirements.

Wind, solar and other renewable energy sources account for a small percentage of state energy supplies. In Colorado, it is less than 1 percent, even though Xcel Energy's Windsource wind farm program near the Wyoming border has grown in popularity.

Officials at Xcel Energy, Colorado's largest utility, have said they favor increased use of renewable energy, but not by law. Xcel's Windsource program is the second largest in the nation. It supplies enough power to serve a community of 47,000 people, according to Golden, Colo.-based National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

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