Energy for Colorado's Economy: Creating Jobs and Economic Growth with Renewable Energy

Publication Date: February 2007

Publisher: Environment Colorado Research and Policy Center

Author(s): William Coyne; Timothy Telleen-Lawton; Travis Madsen; Matt Baker

Research Area: Energy

Keywords: job creation; renewable energy

Type: Report

Coverage: Colorado

Abstract:

In November 2004, the citizens of Colorado became the first in the nation to vote on and pass a statewide renewable energy requirement. Xcel Energy, the state's largest investor-owned utility, responded by signing contracts for 775 megawatts of new wind farms in Colorado in 2006, demonstrating that the requirement could be met easily and quickly. Energy for Colorado's Economy quantifies the benefits of setting the bar even higher, requiring the state's top utilities to reach 20 percent renewable energy by 2020, concluding that a deeper commitment to renewable power will create more jobs, stimulate the economy, stabilize energy prices and further reduce the long-term economic and environmental risk from global warming pollution.