Why Not Ohio? Colorado Passes 16 Green Energy Bills

Green Energy:  It was a big year for Gov. Ritter's "New Energy Economy" - in a year when renewable energy legislation was stagnating at the federal level, both houses passed 16 bills to promote clean energy within the state.  Highlights include:

• HB 1001 raises the standard from 20% to 30% for the amount of electricity that large utility companies must derive from renewable sources by 2020.  The new Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) is one of the most aggressive renewable-energy goals in the country.
• HB 1365, The Clean Air-Clean Jobs Act, places new standards on coal-fired power requiring Xcel Energy to cut its nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 80% by the end of 2017.  Toward this end, Xcel is converting three of its coal-burning power plants to natural gas, an effort that will involve retiring or retrofitting 900 megawatts of coal-fired capacity.  This is the first legislation of its kind in the country.
• Under SB 100, counties and municipalities can join together to finance renewable energy and energy-efficiency projects.
• The Smart Grid Task Force, created by S 180, will study the state's infrastructure and develop policy recommendations to make the transition to Smart Grid.
• New special districts can borrow money to fund renewable energy or energy efficiency projects for residents under HB 1328.
• HB 1333 creates the Green Jobs Colorado Training Pilot Program, a two-year pilot program that expands job training programs by offering grants to community colleges and other training providers to develop programs for jobs in wind, solar, energy efficiency, and other renewable energy industries.
• HB 1342 allows apartment dwellers and others who can't utilize solar technology on their own roofs to join together to purchase shared panels in community locations.
• Colorado state parks must increase the use of solar and other renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies to achieve energy self-sufficiency by 2020 under HB 1349.

Why Not Ohio? Because Ohio is led by Old King Dirty Coal Ted Strickland who would rather fire up new dirty coal and nuke plants in Ohio instead of leading the charge to pass massive Green Energy Bills.

Dennis S. Spisak-Green Party of Ohio Nominee for Governor

Http://www.votespisak.org/governor/

Http://www.dennisspisak.com

For more info, contact 330-503-1407