PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, March 9 2010
CONTACT:
Abigail Vacanti, (303)866-4882 or abigail.vacanti@state.co.us
Jack Wylie, (303)866-3005 or jack.wylie@state.co.us
There are 3 million acres of dead lodge pole pine in Colorado contributing to a massive risk of forest fires.
Tourism is the second largest industry in Colorado in terms of jobs, employing 143,700 people. Nearly one in four jobs in Colorado is in the tourism sector. Overall, these employees earn some $4 billion annually, contributing to state revenue.
The Governor’s Energy Office forecast that 200,000 new jobs in the next 20 years will be created in solar, wind, geothermal and biomass industries.
Today, the Senate Local Government and Energy Committee unanimously passed two important bills on biomass and geothermal energy.
The first bill is an important bill which will expand our energy portfolio to include biomass, which will keep our forests green thus helping our tourism industry and which will get our timber businesses moving again. SB 177, sponsored by Sen. Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass) and Sen. Dan Gibbs (D-Summit County) will promote biomass energy development in Colorado.
“Tourism, timber, energy: they are all key to Colorado’s economy,” said Sen. Gail Schwartz. “By protecting our forests we support industry and protect jobs. By helping the timber industry grow, we create jobs. By bringing biomass to Colorado’s viable energy development, we create jobs. Creating and preserving jobs is our number one priority this session and this bill is all about jobs.”
Senate Bill 177:
Brings new jobs to Colorado in the forestry industry, preserves existing jobs, and promotes good forest management.
Incents the use of woody biomass, an energy resource that is not only clean but comes from the by-product of good forest management, natural disasters and diseases. This resource is currently under utilized and poses a fire threat to communities and industries throughout.
Ensures a viable, competitive timber industry in Colorado.
Diversifies our energy portfolio through the creation of an alternative fuel for both the utility industry.
“This bill really helps turn a negative into a positive,” said Sen. Dan Gibbs. “If we can clean up our forests and deal with our forest fire problem all while creating jobs- let’s do it!”
Senate Bill 177 is sponsored by Rep. Christine Scanlan (D-Eagle County) in the House.
The committee also heard Senate Bill 174, Regulation of the Development of Geothermal Resources. Geothermal energy production has a promising future in Colorado. Several projects have already been proposed, but several clarifications need to be made to allow developments to move forward. “Geothermal energy will diversify Colorado’s energy portfolio”, said Sen. Schwartz. “This bill will improve cooperation between the federal, state, and local governments, strengthen Colorado’s energy sector, and create jobs for Coloradans.” SB 174 will clarify Colorado law by creating processes for cooperation between different levels of government and defining the permitting process at both the state and local levels. Sen. Schwartz continued, “This bill will help put Coloradans to work and increase Colorado’s energy independence.”
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