DENVER—A panel of government, business and civic leaders released a list of recommendations to cut Colorado’s greenhouse gas emissions and prompt action by the state and others.
More than 100 people worked 10 months on the list announced Wednesday by three Front Range mayors as part of The Colorado Climate Project.
John Hickenlooper of Denver, Doug Hutchinson of Fort Collins and Steve Burkholder of Lakewood said the ideas could cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2020 and save $2.6 billion, including savings from lower energy use.
The Rocky Mountain Climate organization, which formed the panel, will ask Gov. Bill Ritter, the Legislature and other governments and agencies to adopt and implement the recommendations.
Of the 70 recommendations from The Colorado Climate Project, 62 were approved unanimously. The proposals include:
—Expanding utilities’ programs to help customers reduce energy use.
—Adopting California’s motor vehicle emission standards for new cars and trucks by requiring them to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
—Boosting the amount of energy utilities get from renewable sources.
—Increasing production of cellulosic ethanol from Colorado sources to replace fossil fuels.
—Updating building codes to meet changes in international standards for energy efficiency.
—Reducing methane emissions from oil and gas operations.
If the proposals are adopted, emissions would drop 20 percent from 2005 levels by 2020 and drop 80 percent by 2050, according to the climate group.
Colorado’s emissions grew at the fourth-fastest rate in the country from 1990 to 2003, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The state ranks No. 25 in per capita emissions.
Hickenlooper said the group, a coalition that includes elected officials, energy companies and conservation groups, began work last year. “It really was a way to give a template of recommendations and priorities to whoever was going to be the next governor,” Hickenlooper said.
Ritter, elected last November, hired a climate change adviser to plot ways Coloradans can reduce the emissions blamed for changes expected to sap the region’s water.
Legislative leaders have said about two dozen bills dealing with climate change are expected to be introduced when the new session starts in January.
“Gov. Ritter is very appreciative for all the hard work that many, many people put into this plan,” said Evan Dreyer, Ritter’s spokesman.
Ritter is looking forward to looking at all the recommendations as he drafts a climate change plan, Dreyer said.
In the West, scientists have warned that a buildup of carbon dioxide and other emissions could drive up temperatures, diminishing the snowpack that feeds much of the region’s waterways.
Burkholder of Lakewood said 52 out of the 70 recommendations wouldn’t require new regulations. He said the proposals were written with help from the Center for Climate Strategies, which has worked with other states to develop similar plans.
Hutchinson of Fort Collins said the Colorado project is unique because it is a statewide plan produced by a nonprofit group rather than government. He and the other mayors stressed that it was also put together by people from a broad spectrum.
Matt Baker, director of Environment Colorado and one of the project’s directors, said the work was collaborative; no one group got all it wanted.
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On the Net: The Colorado Climate Project:
