Democrats and conservationists are working with Governor Hickenlooper鈥檚 staff to try and save a bill that would expand the mission of the Energy office to promote more traditional forms of energy such as coal and natural gas.
Former Governor Bill Ritter created the office to advocate for wind, solar and energy efficiency. Senate Democrats defeated a similar bill last year but more is at stake this time around because federal funding is set to expire.
The measure would create two separate pots of money, one to fund renewable energy and the other traditional energy projects. Senator Pat Steadman (D-Denver) is sponsoring the bill in the Senate.
鈥淚 realize this is an issue where there鈥檚 not necessarily consensus between the house and the senate, but we鈥檝e agreed to try and work on it,鈥� says Stedman.
But funding is a key sticking point for the group Colorado Counties Inc says group lobbyist Bill Clayton. He says county commissioners don鈥檛 want to take severance dollars away from local communities to help promote traditional energy.
鈥淎ny diversion away from the local severance tax is something they鈥檙e opposed to, really that鈥檚 the specific piece. If there was an alternative funding piece I鈥檓 sure they鈥檇 be 100% in favor of where we鈥檙e going.鈥�
For his part Governor Hickenlooper is advocating for the measure going as far as calling for an all of the above energy policy. Hickenlooper says it鈥檚 important to have all of the stakeholders at the same table.
