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Bills aim to boost solar energy

Legislative package could fare well, advocates say

Gargi Chakrabarty

Published January 4, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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"Go Solar."

That's the mantra of Democratic lawmakers as they prepare to introduce a slew of bills in the 2008 General Assembly to boost solar energy in Colorado.

Legislation is in the pipeline that would offer rebates to electric customers across the state who install solar systems in their homes, allow customers to sell their excess solar electricity back to the utility company at retail rates, and direct state regulators to consider bids for large-scale solar power plants although those projects may be more expensive than coal- or natural-gas-fired power plants.

"Colorado could have half a million solar roofs in the next decade," said Pam Kiely, legislative program director for Environment Colorado, during a news conference Thursday at the State Capitol. "And the 'Go Solar' legislative package is a strong step on that path."

Renewable-energy advocates say with the Democrats in control of the governor's office as well as the state Senate and House, the solar package could fare well in this legislative session. Gov. Bill Ritter has said his administration's new energy economy will focus on renewable resources including solar to reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil.

"We at the Governor's Energy Office look forward to seeing renewable energy being supported by the legislators," said spokeswoman Megan Castle.

A bill that offers a $2-per-watt rebate for installation of a home solar system to customers of rural electric co-operatives and municipal utilities will be introduced early in the session.

Xcel Energy is the only utility in Colorado that offers a $2- per-watt rebate and an additional $2.50-per-watt credit to its solar customers through its Solar Rewards program. The utility, which has paid out $19.5 million to more than 1,000 customers since March 2006, recovers the money from its electric ratepayers.

Rep. Judy Solano, D-Thornton, will introduce a net-metering bill that would allow customers to sell some of their excess solar or wind power to the utilities or rural electric co-ops at retail electricity rates. A similar bill stalled in the Senate last year.

The InterMountain Rural Electric Association, which serves more than 130,000 customers, will fight those two bills. The association last year fought a bill that doubled Colorado's renewable- energy targets.

Ritter later signed into law a bill that requires rural electric co-ops such as IREA to get at least 10 percent of their electricity from renewable sources such as the sun, wind, and plant and animal waste by 2020. For larger utilities such as Xcel, the goal is 20 percent.

"Both those bills are inequitable, favoring one class of customers over another," said IREA general manager Stan Lewandowski, referring to the solar rebate and net-metering bills. "Customers who can afford solar are affluent people who will get rebates and enjoy the benefit of selling extra power back. But it's the senior citizens and low-income customers who will subsidize those rebates."

Solano said critics like Lewandowski don't realize fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas likely will be hit with carbon taxes in the future, making them more expensive sources of power.

"Solar may have a higher upfront cost, but in the long run it will become a cheaper source of power," Solano said. "In areas like San Luis Valley which has so much sunshine, a solar industry would create jobs and also reduce pollutants responsible for global warming."

On Wednesday, the Governor's Energy Office released a map of renewable energy resources identifying 96 gigawatts of wind capacity in the plains, and 26 gigawatts of solar capacity in southern Colorado.

chakrabartyg@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2976

Looking ahead

Bills likely to be introduced in the 2008 legislative session:

* SOLAR REBATE: Bill would offer a $2-per-watt rebate for installation of a home solar system to customers of rural electric co-operatives and municipal utilities. A typical home in Colorado would have to install 2,000 watts to 3,000 watts for its daily needs.

* NET-METERING: Bill would allow customers to sell some of their excess solar or wind power back to utilities or rural electric co-ops at retail electricity rates.

* LARGE-SCALE SOLAR PLANT: Proposal would direct state regulators to consider bids for large-scale solar plants even if those are more expensive than coal- or natural-gas-fired power plants that emit pollution.

* SOLAR AND WIND FINANCING: Bill would authorize the Clean Energy Development Authority to issue federal tax-exempt bonds to create a financing program that offers low-interest loans to homeowners for solar, wind and energy efficiency projects. The loans could be paid off over time through a lien on property taxes.

* UTILITY EFFICIENCY: Bill would require rural electric co-ops or municipal utilities to invest 2 percent of their retail receipts on energy efficiency programs for their customers beginning 2010.

* WATER DONATION: Bill would compensate water-right holders who donate water to bolster Colorado's streams and rivers.

* PROOF OF WATER BY HOMEBUILDERS: Proposal would require builders of new housing subdivisions to produce legal evidence and certification from the state engineer's office proving they have adequate water supply.

Comments

  • January 4, 2008

    7:13 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    roger44 writes:

    Colorado caters to the ones with the money, seniors and the poor are second class citizens to the elite. "Boulder mentality" has spread across the state. If the Politicians had been looking ahead, coal fired power plants would not have been built, they contribute more pollution than cars. People that have the money for solar will do it without a bill from the politicians, seems to me they better learn how to control the budget, and stop spending wildly. Good example is the homleand security money they may have to pay back, these politicians need to get a brain.

  • January 4, 2008

    11:46 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Theoldguy writes:

    Those with the bucks have the ability to "go solar" and add to the community via taxes. Poor whoever's don't have that luxury in life. Usually they are the recipients of welfare or other governmental largess.

    Now, Roger 44, are you contributing to or sucking from the public trough?

    Don't just blame Colorado. There are other states that have to deal with the jobless, homeless, uneducated, illegal and criminal elements that wander in from here and there. Everyone wants to live a good life. The question is who are the ones that were intelligent enough to plan for a future instead of living day to day?

  • January 4, 2008

    1:19 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    justright writes:

    Stick it to the poor, the old and the Middle class! We love getting the tab. The rich enviros can feel better about themselves while the old choose between food or heat. The renewable cost on your Xcel bill is about to become more obvious to everybody. See it started as a few cents and now it is going to be a few dollars and after these new laws it will be tens of dollars. Way to go Dems! Stick to to the those who can't afford it.

  • March 2, 2008

    1:35 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    loveitorleaveit writes:

    You people are really smart. why don't you just give all your money to big oil. We don't need to take care of ourselves. If you can't afford solar they are going to have low interest loans available. Wake up America if we can't be energy independent, we will not survive as the USA. why don't you all just sit on your huge asses and watch as our country goes down the drain. As for me I will find a way to take full advantage of the laws when they pass and if it means all the other lazy people out there have to pay for it too bad.

  • June 1, 2008

    1:16 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    ogahm writes:

    This is a company that is offering solar power to be added to homes at the cost of your normal energy bill. They make money off of it in several different ways. But the startup cost is $0. And the homeowner doesn't have to pay anything more than they would normally.

    http://renu.citizenre.com/

    Solar is becoming very efficient. And from a cost efficiency standpoint is unsurpassed in clean energy. This is due to it's very long life. We are growing, the solutions are here now. Divisive attitudes are counterproductive, lets help one another find solutions that work.