Colorado’s status as an up-and-coming player in alternative and renewable energy is prompting the state’s leading public-sector utility and energy agencies to collaborate on a “new energy” summit.
More than 30 energy leaders will discuss Colorado’s role in energy policy and development at an Oct. 30 conference in Denver called “Colorado’s New Energy Economy: The Path Forward.”
The state is one of the nation’s leaders in research and development of renewable and alternative energy such as wind and solar power.
Colorado is the 10th-largest generator of wind power in the U.S., and Xcel Energy and Baltimore-based SunEdison LLC are collaborating on a $60 million solar-energy facility in the San Luis Valley that will be the largest of its type in the nation.
Analysts, however, say Colorado can’t realize its full potential without significant development of new transmission lines – a costly proposition that is inhibiting current development of renewable projects.
The energy seminar is being spearheaded by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, the Governor’s Energy Office, the Office of Consumer Counsel and Energy Outreach Colorado, a non profit agency that helps low- income people pay utility bills.
“This should be an amazing conference,” said PUC chairman Ron Binz. “For the first time, we’ll have Colorado’s diverse energy leadership – from the governor on down – in one place to explore our state’s energy future.”
Dick Kelly, chief executive of Xcel Energy, will speak at the seminar. His topic will be “Financial Markets: What Is the Reaction to a Carbon-Constrained World?”
The keynote speaker will be Chuck Kutscher, senior policy analyst at the Golden-based National Renewable Energy Laboratory. He will address the roles of energy efficiency and renewable energy on climate change.
The conference will take place from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Denver Marriott City Center, 1701 California St.
To register and for details, go to or call 303-226-5056.
Staff writer Steve Raabe can be reached at 303-954-1948 or sraabe@denverpost.com.
