Several conservation groups are urging changes in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, according to the Glenwood Springs Post Independent "reg". From the article, "The Western Energy Agenda calls on Congress to repeal parts of the act and provide for tighter rules for environmental protection and slowing down the pace of drilling on BLM lands. The groups, including the Aspen Wilderness Workshop, Western Colorado Congress and the Grand Valley Citizens Alliance, will take their case to legislators, said Steve Smith of Glenwood Springs, assistant regional director of The Wilderness Society...
"The agenda's guidelines would also protect water supplies by lifting exemptions for the oil and gas industry from meeting rules set by the Clean Water Act...
"Steve Smith said the next step for the conservation groups will be to lobby legislators for the changes, especially as oversight committees hold hearings in Washington to consider revisions to the Energy Policy Act. Colorado's Congressman John Salazar, for one, is in favor of the principles of the agenda. 'Rising gas prices and calls to achieve energy independence have forced our country to shift its attention to increasing alternative fuels. As we transition from using fossil fuel to renewable energy, it's important to use and encourage technologies that minimize damage to our land during the extraction of fossil fuels,' he said. 'More importantly, we have to be responsible and protect Colorado's treasured landscapes, such as the Roan Plateau.'"
Meanwhile Governor Ritter was at the the American Bar Association's environmental law conference yesterday, touting clean energy development, according to the Summit Daily News "reg". From the article, "As Colorado is concerned, he said state government will lead by example. His administration is close to issuing an executive order that will address the conversion of the state's fleet of vehicles to biofuels, as well as set environmental standards for the construction of state buildings. Ritter also discussed legislation moving through the Colorado House and Senate that would set higher targets for the use of renewable sources as a percentage of total energy production in the state beyond the 10 percent established by voter approval in 2004. That goal will be met early, so Ritter's new target is to ensure that 20 percent of the energy supplied in the state by major utilities comes from renewable sources. Ritter said even the smaller rural electric co-ops are on board with the plan...
"The focus on renewable resources won't come at the expense of traditional energy production, he said, acknowledging that coal and gas production will continue to be important. But he expressed concern about the rapid pace of new energy development on the West Slope. The number of permits issued for oil and gas drilling doubled between 2004 and 2006. 'We need to be thoughtful about how we extract those resources and balance it with protecting another important resource -- the environment,' Ritter said. 'We need to keep the West Slope from becoming Rock Springs, Wyoming,' Ritter said, referring to an area in the adjacent state that has been marred by energy development. 'We have to be careful not to undermine the landscape.' He specifically addressed the concerns of Garfield County residents, saying that, as he travels in that area, he hears again and again that clean water and clean air are the biggest concerns."
"2008 pres"
6:12:25 AM 
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