Former Colorado Governor Bill Ritter Jr. Interviewed as Part of "Environmental Leaders Series:" Discusses His Administration's Energy Initiatives

Former Colorado Governor Bill Ritter Jr. discusses his administration's energy initiatives, with particular focus on renewable energy initiatives, in a new video interview now available on the University of Denver Sturm College of Law website. The 45 minute interview can be accessed by clicking here.

Governor Ritter, who served from 2007 to 2011 and who is credited with coining the phrase "the new energy economy," was interviewed by Don Smith, Director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law & Policy program.

The interview provides an inside look at Governor Ritter's energy philosophy as well as the challenges he faced in implementing it. Among the key observations made by Governor Ritter are:

• The competitive advantages of establishing a renewable energy portfolio standard (i.e., a minimum level of generation from renewable sources) "are undeniable."
• Colorado is the best place in the world for research and technological development related to renewable energy.

Governor Ritter, who now directs the Policy Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University, also discusses how he came to believe that renewable energy, and "the new energy economy," should be a key foundation of his administration's work, why he supported increasing the state's renewable portfolio standard from 10 percent to 30 percent during his term in office, and how the barriers to additional renewable energy development might be addressed.

Professor Smith said, "As Governor of Colorado, Bill Ritter Jr. was one of the nation's leading advocates of renewable energy. But even more importantly in many respects was the Governor's ability to translate his policy vision into legislative reality. The interview with Governor Ritter, which is now available to anyone by way of our website, is one more step in the Sturm College of Law's goal of being 'the' renewable energy law school in the U.S. Next school year (August 2011-June 2012) the Sturm College of Law will offer four renewable energy-related courses, along with numerous other undertakings by faculty and students that also will build our institutional renewable energy expertise."

"It was an honor to host Governor Ritter at the Sturm College of Law. Anyone interested in renewable energy law in any part of the U.S. -- or internationally for that matter -- should watch this video and take account of the Governor's observations. His is one of the most credible voices in the nation talking about renewable energy," Professor Smith said.

Colorado Adopts 30 Percent Renewable Energy Standard for Electricity by 2020; "Cements" Colorado's Reputation as Center of "New Energy Economy"

Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter has signed into law legislation requiring that 30 percent of electricity generated by state regulated utilities be from renewable sources by 2020. It represents the largest renewable portfolio standard in the U.S. Rocky Mountain West.

According to the Governor, the law will create thousands of new jobs and result in 100,000 solar rooftops between now and 2020. Please click here to listen to Gov. Ritter's remarks about this historic legislation.

In signing the legislation, Gov. Ritter said, "Today we continue to chart a new course for Colorado's New Energy Economy and America's clean energy economy. Colorado is giving every state and the entire nation a template for tomorrow. This is a game-changer. We are transforming the future of Colorado and our country."

Over the past six years Colorado's renewable energy goals for electricity generation by 2020 have increased from zero in 2003, to 10 percent in 2004, to 20 percent in 2007, to 30 percent in 2010. The law calls for three percent of the 30 percent to be met by local solar power.

The measure, which was supported by the state's largest electricity provider Xcel Energy, was embraced by Environment Colorado (EC). "Today we've truly 'hit it out of the park,' taking Colorado's vision for new energy future to the big leagues," Pam Kiely, program director with EC, said.

As this blog has reported many times, Colorado is at the center of the nation's new energy economy. Come learn about it at the Sturm College of Law, where you will find an impressive and steadily increasing offering of energy and renewable energy offerings taught by the nation's best renewable energy policy and technology experts and practitioners.

Colorado Governor's Climate Advisor Alice Madden Speaks to Cutting-Edge Renewable Energy Course at the Sturm College of Law

Alice Madden, Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter's Climate Change Advisor, spoke recently to Adjunct Prof. Bob Noun's "Renewable Energy in the 21st Century: Policy, Legislation, Technology, Markets" course at the Sturm College of Law.

Ms. Madden, who served from 2004 to 2008 as the Majority Leader in the Colorado House of Representatives, spoke about attending on behalf of Gov. Ritter the UN Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen in December 2009 and the fact that the U.S. was much more active at the Copenhagen conference than it had been in previous climate change conferences.

She also explained the evolution of Colorado's renewable energy portfolio standard, the state mandated measure that sets a minimum level of renewable energy generation as part of a utility's entire generating portfolio. In 2004 state voters approved a "first of its kind" referendum that required investor owned utilities operating in Colorado to produce at least 10 percent of their electricity from renewables by 2020. Under her leadership that percentage was subsequently increased by the State Legislature to 20 percent in 2007 and now the state is on the verge of increasing the number yet again to 30 percent by 2020.

The Governor's office, under the direction of Ms. Madden, has worked carefully with key stakeholders to build legislative and business support for the 30 percent level. She noted that assuming the 30 percent level is approved by the legislature, Colorado will have one of the most ambitious renewable energy targets in the country, a level that will underscore Colorado's objective to be the center of "the new energy economy." Looked at another way, the fact that Colorado has gone from no renewable energy target in 2003 to probably 30 percent by 2010 is a testament to the leadership provided by a key group of renewables advocates including Ms. Madden.

Prof. Noun, who serves in a leadership position at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado, and is widely recognized as one of the most knowledgeable experts in the U.S. about renewables policy, has organized what some consider the most forward-looking renewable energy course offered by any American law school. Including learning from Ms. Madden, who is situated directly in the center of Colorado's policy making process, students have also heard from leaders in the renewable energy field including policy makers, lawyers, and technology experts.

"Renewable Energy in the 21s Century" is a "one of its kind" offering and the Sturm College of Law is delighted to be associated with nationally recognized leaders such as Prof. Noun and Ms. Madden.

--Don Smith

Colorado Renewable Energy Portfolio Moving to 30 Percent?

It appears that Colorado is poised to increase its renewable energy portfolio standard from the current 20 percent to 30 percent by 2020.

The new standard, which has support from Gov. Bill Ritter, state-regulated electricity producers, and environmentalists, would position Colorado among the top five states in the U.S. in terms of the percentage of electricity generated from renewable energy.

One of the primary means to meet the new standard would be to encourage distributed electricity production, particularly from roof-mounted solar units, The Denver Post reported ("Panel Hears Proposal to Hike Renewable Energy Requirement," Feb. 5, 2010).

In many respects, the ambitious nature of the measure is not entirely surprising since Colorado has undertaken a strategic effort to become the center of the so-called "new energy economy."

The University of Denver Sturm College of Law has positioned itself as a leader in the study of renewable energy law and policy. Currently, the College of Law offers two renewable energy courses -- "Renewable Energy Project Finance" and "Renewable Energy for the 21st Century: Policy, Legislation, Markets, Technology" -- and several more are in the planning stages.

RES Americas: Leading Renewable Energy Firm Based in Denver Metropolitan Area

RES Americas, one of the nation's leading fully-integrated renewable energy companies, is headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the University of Denver campus.

The firm, which develops, constructs, owns, and operates projects throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, moved its headquarters from Austin, Texas, to the Denver metropolitan area about two years ago. When the firm moved, Craig Mataczynski, president of RES Americas, said, "Colorado has demonstrated immense leadership in the development of renewable resources and alternative energy. We are proud to now join that effort," the Denver Post reported at the time ("Energy Company 'Blows' Into Colorado," March 27, 2008).

Several days ago, Cindy Jennings, a Masters in Resource Law Studies 2009 graduate and vice president of brand strategy at Cohn Marketing in Denver, introduced Ann Vessels, the director of the externship program and me to Raheleh Folkerts, the marketing and communications manager for RES Americas. Prof. Vessels and I were interested to learn more about RES Americas as part of the DU College of Law's on-going effort to position itself as the leading renewable energy-related law school in the U.S.

RES Americas has more than 4,000 megawatts of construction projects, which represents about 14 percent of the operating installed wind capacity in the U.S. and has over 12,500 megawatts in development. "We encompass all the necessary expertise to create renewable energy projects, ranging from wind and solar farms and in the near future biomass and energy storage," Ms. Foklherts said. For a list of RES America's operational wind farms, please click here.

RES Americas is owned by U.K.-based RES Group, which has about 89 wind projects with a capacity of about 5,000 megawatts around the world. In mid January, the company announced the completion of the Armenia Mountain Wind Farm in Pennsylvania. The Armenia project consists of 67 GE 1.5 megawatt wind turbines that will generate 101 megawatts of operating capacity.

The fact that RES America chose the Denver area for its national headquarters is yet another indication of Colorado's growing reputation as the center of the new energy economy.

Denver Chosen as Site for Major Solar Installation

German-based firm SMA Solar Technology AG, the worldwide market leader for photovoltaic converters, announced plans this week for a major new installation to be located in Denver.

The U.S. production facility in Denver will be the largest U.S. production operation for solar inverters, which are a key component in all solar power plants. It is expected to begin operation in 2010.

Pierre-Pascal Urbon, the company's chief financial officer, said, "We see a huge market coming in the U.S.," the Denver Post reported ("City Lands Solar Plant," Oct. 27, 2009). Similarly, Gunther Cramer, CEO of the company, said, "In the medium term, we expect the U.S. market to become the largest solar market globally. With the new production in Denver, SMA will be able to reduce transportation and interim storage costs as well as currency exchange risks."

Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, who has set ambitious green energy targets for the city, said, "This move helps solidify Colorado's place as a global leader in renewable energy under Gov. Bill Ritter."

The Denver facility will be SMA's first facility outside Germany.

In 2008, the SMA Group, of which SMA Solar Technology is a part, had sales of more than $1 billion. It is headquartered near Kassel in Germany.

This announcement is yet another example of how Colorado is becoming the center of the new energy economy.

Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter Testifies Before Congress About "New Energy Economy"

Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter testified recently about the "new energy economy" before the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Mr. Ritter was joined by governors from other states including Jon Hoeven of North Dakota and Christine Gregoire of Washington.

According to Mr. Ritter, "The new energy economy is energizing Colorado's entire economy, even in the worst downturn in 75 years. This did not happen by accident. It happened through a concerted and aggressive effort, and the new jobs we're creating are real and they are happening in every corner of Colorado."

Mr. Ritter, who was recently ranked by Greenopia as the top state governor for environmental responsibility, said, "We must hand over a world that is more energy secure, more environmentally secure, and more economically secure than it is today.

Now this purpose of this blog is not to promote Mr. Ritter's -- or anyone's -- personal agenda. But it is noteworthy as yet another indication that Colorado is at "ground zero" for renewables, energy efficiency, and the firms that are pushing these into the marketplace.

And before closing, it is worth noting that one of the pioneers in establishing Colorado's renewable energy portfolio -- which was approved by state voters in a 2004 referendum -- was Lola Spradley, the former Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives. Mr. Ritter is a Democrat; Ms. Spradley a Republican. Speaking conceptually, renewable energy doesn't really have much time -- at least in Colorado -- for party labels.

Denver "Occupies the High Ground When it Comes to Clean Energy:" Newsweek Magazine

Denver's central role in the new energy economy -- renewables, energy efficiency, biofuels -- is being formally recognized in the U.S. and beyond.

For instance, the July 13 issue of Newsweek includes a piece, "More Than Just Hot Air; Green Jobs Are Sprouting in Denver," that explains the convergence of issues and interests that have established the Denver area as the heart of "green America." Daniel Gross, Newsweek's business columnist, writes, "The Mile High City occupies the high ground when it comes to clean energy -- and clean living."

For what it's worth, the phrase the "new energy economy" was supposedly first uttered by Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter. I have not the foggiest idea whether this is true or not, but nevertheless I am quite happy to use the phrase myself!

Colorado: "The Hub of the New Energy Economy"

The state of Colorado is at the center of the so-called "new energy economy" according to a senior U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) official.

The combination of federal efforts -- being undertaken at the U.S. Department of Energy regional office in Colorado as well as at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) located near Denver -- and state efforts, including an aggressive renewable electricity standard, illustrate Colorado's key role in moving the country towards a new energy future, Jeff Baker, director of the Office of Laboratory Operations in the Golden field office of the DOE said earlier this week.

Mr. Baker was one of the two featured speakers at "Mapping a New Energy Strategy for the West," sponsored by the Denver law firm of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck. The other featured speaker was Robert Noun, director of external affairs at NREL and the lead adjunct professor for a "one of its kind" new course "Renewable Energy in the 21st Century: Policy, Law, Markets, Technology" that will be offered at DU in the spring 2010 semester.

According to Mr. Baker, there are four elements of the clean energy economy:

• Clean energy (renewables)
• Energy efficiency
• Environmentally-friendly production methods
• Conservation and pollution management

Among other eye-catching points made by Mr. Baker:

• The clean energy economy is growing at 30 percent a year
• Wind provided 40 percent of all new U.S. electricity capacity installed in 2008
• In the last three years, venture capitalists have invested $13 billion in the new energy economy
• The economic stimulus bill, enacted earlier this year, includes nearly $85 billion aimed at the new energy economy

Mr. Noun, a lawyer by training and considered by many to be the foremost expert on renewable energy and energy efficiency policy in the U.S., said one of the challenges NREL now faces is "getting to speed and scale quickly. This is a national challenge." He noted that President Barack Obama has committed to doubling the amount of renewable electricity in the next three years.

NREL's role in the new energy economy includes conducting basic research, fostering the renewable energy industry in the U.S., and commercializing the technology that is being developed in the laboratory. "We are focused on commercializing and deploying our research. We are trying to be more entrepreneurial," Mr. Noun said, noting the many public-private partnerships that NREL is currently undertaking.

Moreover, he pointed out that NREL will sponsor the "22nd NREL Industry Growth Forum," Nov. 3-5 in Denver, where key actors in the clean energy development, generation, and investment communities meet and exchange ideas. According to NREL, the conference "is the premiere clean energy investment forum not only because of the caliber of investors and entrepreneurial companies it attracts, but also due to its unique format and window on the energy future."

More than 250 of the state's leaders attended the "Mapping a New Energy Strategy" event -- representing federal, state and local governments, the finance industry, law firms, renewable energy developers and others -- a clear indication of Colorado's leadership role.

What does this mean in a larger perspective?

First, the Denver area and Colorado more generally are "the" places to be for those interested in pursuing new energy economy opportunities.

Second, the DU College of Law is reaching out to new energy economy firms and leaders in order to bring the best and brightest of this sector into our courses and programs. As part of this, the law school offers courses in "Renewable Energy Project Finance," taught by adjunct professor John Herrick, a lawyer with Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck and an expert in the topic, as well as the NREL-related course mentioned above. Students in these classes will learn from the premier leaders in this important new field.

Third, the opportunities -- as well as challenges -- in front of the U.S. and the world are enormous. But they also reflect the chance for individuals who are curious and persistent to get in on the very front end of this new wave.

Colorado has always been an energy state -- first it was coal, and then gas and oil, and today it is renewable energy. Put another way, tomorrow's energy future is being worked on today in Colorado.