On Thursday March 12, I was joined by Governor Ritter and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at our New Energy Economy Expo to celebrate Colorado's leadership in new clean-energy technologies and legislation. With the help of Alliance for Sustainable Colorado, Environment Colorado, and the Governor's Energy Office, the event was organized to showcase advances in clean technology and Colorado's green energy future. The expo exhibitors featured New Energy Economy businesses, organizations and entrepreneurs from the solar, wind, efficiency, biofuel, transportation and smart grid sectors.
We are all proud of the great strides Colorado has made over the last few years with respect to renewable energy investment. In collaboration with Governor Ritter, the Colorado state legislature has committed to making Colorado a national leader in our New Energy Economy. Past and current legislation to support our state's green innovation has created a more stable and resilient economy in Colorado during these difficult economic times by attracting jobs, manufacturing and innovation to the state.
At the event, Robert Kennedy Jr. applauded these efforts, saying “Colorado is at the forefront of an energy revolution that promises to transform the U.S. economy. Gov. Ritter and other Colorado leaders have established the state as a national and international leader in the production and manufacturing of traditional and renewable energy."
(Sen. Schwartz, Nichole Goodman-Alliance for Sustainable Colorado, Robert Kennedy Jr., Carly Marie Knudson)
This session, the legislature's Joint Select Committee on Job Creation and Economic Growth endorsed 11 of its 25 bills to focus specifically on renewable energy and clean technology promotion. These bills will promote construction of green, solar-ready homes, the development of green jobs, and the expansion of green businesses. Green industry saves our environment, but more importantly it develops reliable jobs for Colorado. To read the Select Committee's final report and learn more about these exciting initiatives, please follow the link provided below:
http://www.state.co.us/gov_dir/leg_dir/lcsstaff/2009/comsched/09JobCreationFinalReport.pdf
