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2010 Colorado State Legislature
Colorado Legislature: Complete resources Contact Marv if you're interested in our CITIZENS' LOBBY TRIP TO DENVER and other ways to get involved with our legislative effort.
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Renewable Energy Standards Existing law creates a renewable energy portfolio standard (RPS) Defending Previous Oil & Gas Reforms - not yet introduced Clean Air-Clean Jobs Act -- Watching very closely Western Colorado Congress neither supported nor opposed House Bill 1365. We recognize the importance of clean Colorado Air, reducing the risk of climate change, utilizing local natural resources, increasing energy efficiency, and creating jobs. However, HB1365 incentivizes the use of natural gas without language specific to how it will be developed. Natural gas should not be seen as the solution to Colorado's current problems: all stages of development pollute the air, it's available in limited supply, and responsible industry practices have yet to become commonplace. We are very disappointed that HB1365 continues to miss the opportunity to protect the property and health of Colorado landowners and communities affected by gas development. WCC, nevertheless, would welcome the opportunity to work with the State, Industry, Utility Providers and other partners, to highlight local impacts and data gaps as a means of fostering responsible gas development and healthy Colorado Communities. HB1365 includes language that incentivizes natural gas utilization for power generation, potentially increasing Western Slope gas production. The authors of the bill recognized the cleaner-burning properties of natural gas, though no language refers to on-the-ground impacts of gas production or total green house gas emissions stemming from natural gas activities (including but not limited to production, transportation, or refinement). Governance of Rural Electric Cooperatives WCC was part of a good coalition effort on this bill and Delta-Montrose Electric Association's support of the bill helped. This bill would increase transparency of governance within Rural Electric Associations. Existing law allows cooperative electric associations to exempt themseles from regulation by the Public Utilities Commission and become self-governing under the control of a board of directors (board) elected by member-consumers (members). Current provisions concerning board meetings, notices, elections and conflicts of interest lack specificity in some areas. This bill requires an opportunity for member input on matters to be decided by the board at meetings, and requires the posting of meeting minutes on the association's website. It also requires the association to adopt and post on its website a written policy governing elections of directors and information about how a member may become a candidate for a position on the board. Uranium Processing Accountability Act This bill would require any uranium processing facility to clean up any toxic mess before it would be given a new permit to renew or expand its operations. Even though this bill was not crafted in response to the Pinon Ridge Mill proposal for western Montrose County, it would ensure that Energy Fuels and other companies are held to a higher standard for bonding rates, reclamation practices and, potentially, allowable radiation exposure. Conservation Easement Tax Credits - House Bill 1197 (HB10-1197) Introduced in Senate (2/19). Passed Senate Third Reading (3/29). House considered Senate amendments & concurred. Gov. Ritter signed HB-1197 into law on April 29! Colorado's Conservation Easement Tax Credit (implemented in 1999) is one of the only meaningful tools available to incentivize private land conservation. Over the years, the program has protected thousands of acres of farms and ranches. The Program helps agricultural families retain land for its traditional use and reduces impacts of population growth on viewsheds as well as critical plant and wildlife habitat. The State's difficult financial situation has led legislators to consider cutting anything that costs the State money - including tax breaks or credits. HB 1197 would continue the conservatino program while reducing the financial burden to the state.
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Gov. Bill Ritter (R) (Also click on map for email.)
(Also click on map for email.) Click here for a pdf file of our Western Slope legislators. |
Western Colorado Congress is an alliance for community action empowering people |
to protect and enhance their quality of life in western Colorado. |
PO Box 1931, Grand Junction, CO 81502; phone (970) 256-7650; fax (970) 245-0686 |
