Energy

In less than two years, Colorado has quadrupled the amount of wind-generated electricity. In March we increased Colorado's renewable energy requirement to the second-highest mark in the country: 30% renewables by 2020.

Within ten years, nearly one-third of the electricity generated by Colorado's largest utilities will come from the wind and sun.

Colorado is also blessed with the nation's third-largest natural gas reserves. But there's an issue here that's very worrisome:

Fracking

Natural gas companies have recently started using a relatively-new technique called "hydro-fracturing," or simply, "Fracking." Fracking uses vast amounts of water and toxic chemicals injected into the ground and there have been very disturbing reports of Colorado residents suffering severe health consequences from ingesting contaminated water in areas where fracking has been taking place.

Fracking was exempted from government regulation and the Clean Water Act of 1972 by a provision inserted into the 2005 energy bill by then Vice-President Dick Cheney. This so-called "Halliburton Loophole" has made it possible for natural gas companies to poison what is arguably Colorado's most precious natural resource without taking any responsibility, leaving us taxpayers to clean up the mess after they're gone.

This is both dangerous and irresponsible, especially in light of the ongoing Gulf disaster. We can no longer afford misguided policies that allow a small elite to make millions, while creating untold damage that the rest of us have to clean up once they've gone.

Colorado Needs to Lead

The state and the western segment of the country has the potential to significantly impact our nation’s energy needs. To do this, significant infrastructure additions and improvements are needed to our aging transmission system. The progress of this initiative is hampered by the fact that each state has its own Public Service Commission and each swings to the political climate of the state rather than the needs of the country. This is further compounded by the fact that there is no national body that oversees the whole shooting match with regard to the transmission system needs and regulation.

A Sensible, Sustainable Energy Policy

I support a balanced and comprehensive energy framework that will encourage responsible natural gas drilling while also ensuring cleaner air, greater protections for water, wildlife and communities... and more local jobs. With the right energy policy, everybody wins. With the wrong policy, we will - and lose in the end.

With the fourth-highest concentration of clean-energy workers in the nation and 1,500 clean-energy companies, Colorado can build on its leadership in formulating successful strategies to weather the recession - while sparking innovation that will solve an energy crisis that threatens our national security.

Along with continuing to support this path to sustainability, the Colorado New Energy Economy needs to incorporate a strategy to increase the financial incentives for both families and businesses to make significant energy efficient improvements. This will save both money and resources in the long run.

It's only by pursuing a sensible long-term energy strategy that we can continue to create good jobs for Colorado workers in this New Energy Economy.

- Katie Facchinello