Why I will vote NO on SB-252....

"I support clean energy, and have worked on several initiatives and bills this year, but cannot support this bill. We already are on the transition path to have energy-alternatives developed and used by the public; however SB-252 is misleading in that it cripples electricity production, raises rates of struggling families, and costs the tax payer more than you think.

Here are some points to consider:

· In 2007, Colorado’s rural electric associations (REAs) agreed to achieve a renewable energy standard of 10% of their energy by 2020. In doing so, the REAs balanced a statewide interest in environmental improvement with their consumers’ concerns.
· Now, with a month remaining in the 2013 session, the environmental movement’s allies, Senator Morse and Schwartz and Representatives Ferrandino and Duran, have introduced SB13-252—a radical rewriting of that agreement.
· SB252 will require REAs to have 25% of their energy provided by wind and solar sources by 2020.
· To reach that 25% standard (2 ½ times more than the previous amount), REAs will need to invest billions (between $2 and 4 billion) in wind and solar resources that do not exist at this time.
· To reach the 25% renewable standard, REAs will need to seek rate increases from their customers because gov. subsidies are not guarenteed.
· The estimated increase in utility rates for REA customers will be 20%. If we are to reach the 25% renewable standard by 2020, your REA would need to raise your rates by 20% now.
· This bill will also raise utility rates on miners while reducing the demand for coal, causing layoffs.
· In short, this bill is a direct assault on rural Colorado, many residents rely on electricity and are struggling to afford to heat their homes as it is.

I intend to vote NO on SB-252 and any other bills that jeopardize jobs and hike energy prices.Thanks for letting me know your thoughts and I will continue to research the best ways to improve our broken economy, high energy prices, and respect the environmental concerns of citizens. Here are a few articles that may be of interest to you.
heartland.org/policy-documents/research-commentary...ndard"
https://chumly.com/n/1bb982b