Ritter Issues "Greening of Government" Order, Introduces Climate Change Adviser, and Signs New Energy Bills into Law

Gov. Bill Ritter today put an exclamation point on the New Energy Economy accomplishments of his first 100 days in office by issuing a "Greening of State Government" executive order, introducing the state’s new climate change adviser, and signing several energy-related bills into law.

Gov. Ritter also renamed the Office of Energy Management and Conservation to the Governor’s Energy Office to better reflect the agency’s broader mission of advancing Colorado’s New Energy Economy.

"One of the centerpieces of these first 100 days is clearly the New Energy Economy," Ritter said. "We’ve accomplished a lot in a short period of time. We’ve doubled Colorado’s renewable energy portfolio. We’ve made it easier for utility companies to build wind-power transmission lines. We attracted a wind-blade manufacturing plant. We’re quadrupling the number of E-85 ethanol fuel pumps around Colorado. And we’ve got the renewable energy Collaboratory up and running.

"We thought we’d try for an encore today by taking a few more important steps as we continue creating Colorado’s New Energy Economy."

Ritter made the announcements at the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment building at 251 E. 12th Ave., state government’s first LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification by the U.S. Green Building Council) facility. Among the actions Gov. Ritter took today:

* Renamed the Office of Energy Management and Conservation as the Governor’s Energy Office. The office was created in 1977 to promote energy conservation. It was renamed in 1999 to incorporate energy management. (Click here to read the executive order.)

"The New Energy Economy absolutely embraces conservation and efficiency as important components of a sustainable energy future," Ritter said. "But building a New Energy Economy also requires a broader mission. The office will take the lead in expanding renewable energy resources and opportunities for Colorado’s economy, for Colorado’s environment, and for Colorado’s energy independence. Under its new name, the Governor’s Energy Office will chart the future by advancing Colorado’s New Energy Economy."

* Issued two "Greening of State Government" executive orders (one order sets goals and objectives, and the other serves as the implementing document). The orders establish several goals for the reduction of energy consumption in state facilities and vehicles, and for the use of efficient materials and resources, by 2012, such as:

--Reduce energy consumption by 20 percent at all state facilities;

--Cut the use of paper products by 20 percent;

--Reduce water consumption by 10 percent;

--Purchase more environmentally friendly products;

--Cut the use of petroleum products in state vehicles by 25 percent.

"It’s important that state government leads by example," the governor said. "I want to make sure all state agencies are doing everything possible to reduce consumption as we ask the people of this state to do the same."

* Introduced climate change adviser Heidi VanGenderen, who will join the Governor’s Office of Policy and Initiatives effective May 1. Since 1999, VanGenderen has served as a senior associate with the Wirth Chair in Environmental and Community Development Policy at the University of Colorado. Her most recent assignment with the Wirth Chair has been as deputy director of the Presidential Climate Action Plan initiative. The project involves gathering the most promising climate-change proposals from around the country for presentation to the next president.

As the governor’s climate change policy adviser, VanGenderen will be responsible for creating a Colorado Climate Change Action Plan. The position is being funded by private contributions.

"Even in just the last few months, more and more people are recognizing that the Earth’s climate is changing," Ritter said. "If we follow the science, if we follow the evidence, if we follow the data – there are things we can do to make a positive difference."

* Signed several pieces of New Energy Economy into law:

--Senate Bill 51 (co-sponsored by Sen. Ken Gordon and Reps. Claire Levy and Rob Witwer). The bill establishes criteria for "high-performance" state buildings and is a companion measure to the "Greening of State Government" executive orders.

--SB 126 (Sen. Moe Keller and Rep. Jack Pommer). The bill authorizes the appropriation of funds to the Governor’s Energy Office for distribution to the Colorado Renewable Energy Authority for the Collaboratory.

--SB 145 (Sen. Ron Tupa and Rep. Dan Gibbs). The bill allows cities, towns and counties to offer tax credits or rebates to property owners who install renewable-energy-producing fixtures on their property, such as solar panels or wind turbines.

--House Bill 1087 (Rep. Andy Kerry and Sen. Chris Romer). The bill establishes a "Wind for Schools" grant program.

Gov. Ritter concluded the news conference by noting that next week he will be in the San Luis Valley for the groundbreaking of Sun Edison’s solar plant. Next month he will be in Logan County for a wind-farm groundbreaking ceremony.