Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter on Tuesday appointed prominent environmentalist Matt Baker to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, sparking criticism from industry and Republican legislative officials.
“It seems like the commission is tilted toward renewable energy,” said Stan Lewandowski, general manager of Intermountain Rural Electric Association, Colorado’s largest power cooperative.
Baker, a Democrat, is viewed by some as “anti-coal.” He led the campaign for Amendment 37, a measure approved by Colorado voters in 2004 that ordered utilities to use renewable energy for 10 percent of their power by 2015. He has served as executive director of Environment Colorado since 2003.
“Walking away from coal power generation is like waving the white flag on energy independence,” said Sen. Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction. “It’s a luxury America does not have.”
Baker’s appointment to the four-year term requires Senate confirmation. The position pays about $108,000 annually.
Baker said he isn’t anti-coal and supports using clean-coal technologies to generate power.
“We can’t be anti-coal or anti-natural-gas and expect us to meet our power needs,” Baker said.
Ritter also picked the other members of the commission — chairman Ron Binz, a Democrat, and commissioner Jim Tarpey, a Republican. Both were appointed last year.
“As a taxpayer, and as the biggest customer of Xcel Energy, who is under the jurisdiction of the PUC, I would probably like to see more balance,” Lewandowski said.
The PUC oversees the service quality and rates of telephone, gas, electric and water utilities.
In a statement, Ritter praised Baker’s work on the renewable-energy front and called him “a champion of Colorado’s environment and consumer rights.”
“We know that coal will be a significant part of Colorado’s energy future for decades to come,” said Evan Dreyer, Ritter’s spokesman. “The challenge for all of us . . . is to find a path to cleaner coal technology.”
Environmental activist Nancy LaPlaca said historically there has been “no tilt toward renewable energy.”
“The fossil fuel, the coal, the oil-and-gas folks, they’ve pretty much had their way,” LaPlaca said. “The playing field is actually getting leveled. It’s getting closer to level.”
Baker was Colorado Public Interest Research Group executive director from 2001 to 2003. He is a 1987 Pennsylvania State University graduate.
Andy Vuong: 303-954-1209 or avuong@denverpost.com
