Friday, February 23, 2007

Energy policy: Renewable energy Governor Ritter is following up on his promise to promote renewable energy in Colorado by supporting a bill winding it's way through the legislature, according to the Summit Daily News (free registration required). From the article, "Raising the state's standards for electricity produced by renewable energy will create thousands of new jobs and increase Colorado's gross domestic product by nearly $2 billion, Gov. Bill Ritter said Thursday. Ritter cited a study by the Environment Colorado predicting that the state would see 4,100 new jobs, $570 million more in wages and $1.9 billion more in gross domestic product if it doubled the minimum amount of electricity its utilities generate from renewable energy -- the goal of a bill now before the Legislature. The bill, which would require utilities to generate 20 percent of their electric power from renewables by 2020, would also save 18 billion gallons of water that would otherwise be used to cool coal- and gas-fueled turbines, the environmental coalition study said." Category: 2008 Presidential Election 5:33:40 AM     Springs Utilities to open south slope of Pikes Peak Well here's a surprise from our water friends in Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs Utilities plans to open the south slope of Pikes Peak to recreation, according to the Colorado Springs Gazette. From the article, "After more than a century of locked gates, Colorado Springs Utilities said Thursday it will allow trails on the south slope of Pikes Peak. The city-owned utility has been holding public comment meetings since November to draw up rules controlling access to its 28 reservoirs, including seven in a 45,000-acre swath in the city's backyard commonly called the south slope. Local residents have lobbied for generations for greater access. Outdoor enthusiasts attending the watershed-access policy meetings have overwhelmingly said it's time for Utilities to open the restricted area... "But in an about-face Thursday, Utilities released a draft of the rules that slashes the restricted land in half, lists 'accommodating recreational activity' in the first paragraph of the report and outlines a process for creating trails in areas that have long been offlimits. The trail planning will start this spring. Many observers attributed the sudden change to numerous one-on-one discussions with utility officials, City Council members and the mayor... "Campbell said he is committed to the Pikes Peak Multi-Use Plan -- a guiding document published by Utilities with the help of scores of residents and other agencies that recommends nonmotorized trails through the south slope, including two additional routes up Pikes Peak. The plan was adopted in 1999 but scrapped over water-safety concerns after the terrorist attacks of 2001. He said the priority will be completing the Ring the Peak trail, which needs about 10 miles through the south slope to complete a 70-mile circumnavigation of Pikes Peak... "The plan does not address fishing at south slope reservoirs. Some said the gates should be thrown open on the whole area for anglers, as they have been without incident on north slope reservoirs since 1992. Utilities has resisted fishing at south slope reservoirs because they can[base ']t be diluted with water from pipelines if they are contaminated. More Coyote Gulch coverage here. Category: Colorado Water 5:24:39 AM     Environment: Habitat Here's an opinion piece about habitat for endangered species, written by former state senator Dan Grossman, from the Denver Post. From the article, "The new Congress that took office last month has a chance to marry Republican predilections for cutting taxes with Democratic aspirations for protecting the environment. For too long, conservation of wildlife and natural resources has pitted farmers, ranchers and forest landowners against environmentalists. However, increasingly both sides recognize the importance of using economic incentives, not just regulation, to encourage land stewardship and the resulting protection of wildlife, clean water and natural areas. There already are signs that members of both parties recognize the opportunity to help landowners and the environment by offering significant tax incentives to achieve meaningful conservation. "Most rare species are found on private lands and their conservation often requires habitat restoration or takes protective and often costly measures. Next week, Sens. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., and Ken Salazar, D-Colo., are expected to introduce a bill that awards tax credits to landowners who agree to manage their land to benefit the 1,200 endangered species nationwide and 32 endangered species in Colorado, including the greenback cutthroat trout. Significantly, they were joined by Sens. Max Baucus, D-Mont., and Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, who are the chairman and ranking member of the Finance Committee. With that sort of backing, the bill will surely get the committee's attention... Category: 2008 Presidential Election 5:14:58 AM     HB 1132: New age in water law? HB 07-1132 [pdf] is heading to Governor Ritter's office for a signature, according to the the Pueblo Chieftain. From the article, "It took several tries, but a measure that will allow water court judges to consider environmental impacts large transfers could have on river basins is on its way to the governor's office. The Colorado Senate on Thursday unanimously approved a bill that rural lawmakers -- most recently, Rep. Buffie McFadyen, D-Pueblo West -- have been trying to get through the Legislature for years. McFadyen's HB1132, which she carried with freshman Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village, allows for water judges to reject applications to remove 1,000 acre-feet or more from a river if such a transfer is environmentally harmful to the basin. If signed by Gov. Bill Ritter, and he's promised to do so on several occasions, it would mark a new age in Colorado water law, McFadyen said. 'What a difference a year can make, and probably the biggest difference is the fact that Bill Ritter, prior to his being elected, said he would sign a water quality bill involving change-of-use cases,' McFadyen said... "Last year, a similar measure that McFadyen also carried squeaked through the House by one vote, but died in the Senate by a single vote. This year's bill was narrowed to apply only to permanent transfers of water, and then only those dealing with consumptive uses. As a result, it won support from traditional opponents, including lawmakers from Colorado Springs and Aurora. Sen. Ted Harvey had cast the lone dissenting vote against the bill when it was approved by the Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources & Energy Committee, but the Highlands Ranch Republican ended up supporting it." More Coyote Gulch coverage here. Category: Colorado Water 5:10:08 AM

© Copyright 2007 John Orr. Last update: 3/1/07; 6:56:54 AM.