Coloradois emerging as an international player in the next great technological andindustrial revolution. The impending state renewables bill is aggressive,job-creating, and could result in as many as 100,000 homes being equipped withsolar panels, small wind turbines, or other clean energy sources. And itcouldn't have come at a better time. According to U.S. Energy Secretary StevenChu, "
A recent study released by the Center
for American Progress suggests that the U.S. "has an href="http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2010/03/04/04climatewire-will-us-companies-be-shut-out-of-clean-tech-68154.html?scp=8&sq=renewables&st=cse">urgent economic imperative to be a clean energy
leader" and Colorado has the
opportunity to be the national leader that propels us in this international
clean energy race. As noted by U.S. Senator Mark Udall (D-CO), the state's
efforts to increase the use of renewable energy has href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/19/steven-chu-energy-investm_n_469880.html">already created 20,000 jobs. The economic benefits of the renewables bill
that's currently moving through the Colorado legislature, combined with its
clear advantages for the environment and for strengthening national security,
have made it a bipartisan effort.
Coloradansunderstand the need to seize this opportunity to push the country forward,and to make sure we do it right from the start. Interior Secretary andnative Coloradoan Ken Salazar has taken this to heart. Instead of lettingproposed projects languish in red tape, Secretary Salazar has directed theBureau of Land Management to fast track proposals for
The clean energy frontier is right here
in Colorado, which means only good things for our economy, environment, and
communities. It's rare to find a solution to energy problems that has support
from farmers and ranchers, hunters and anglers, labor unions, conservation
groups, and industry, but here in Colorado, we're working together to lead the
way.
Michael Bowman is a fifth-generation Coloradoan and farmer from Wray. He serves on the National Steering Committee for the national agriculture energy working group 25x25 and served as chair of Colorado's New Energy Future in 2006. Bowman is a candidate for the Colorado Senate District 1 seat.