A prominent environmentalist won confirmation to the Public Utilities Commission on a 21-13 vote Thursday, after senators sparred over whether he was too “anti-coal” to be named to the board that regulates Colorado’s largest power companies.
Voting was strict party-line with the exception of Larimer County Republican Steve Johnson’s yes vote.
Baker, most recently the executive director of Environment Colorado, was blasted by Republicans for past statements that Colorado must move away from existing coal-fired technology and embrace renewable energy and clean-coal technology.
Republicans said such a dramatic shift in a short period of time would be impractical.
Baker’s supporters countered that he will bring fresh ideas to the commission and move Colorado toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy system.
Also Thursday, the Senate unanimously confirmed Jim Tarpey, a Republican and an attorney who specializes in utility regulations issues.
