As President-elect Barack Obama weighs how to revitalize the nation’s economy, Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter has given him some light reading.
Ritter this week sent a 16-page, 20-point, small-type plan to Obama and his aides detailing how Ritter believes investing in clean-energy research and development can pull the economy out of recession.
The plan, titled “Colorado Proposals for a National New Energy Economy Stimulus Package,” lays out specific actions Ritter says Obama can take to create jobs in the “New Energy Economy,” including investing in energy-efficiency programs, using tax incentives to help solar-panel manufacturing and home installation, developing a high-tech electrical grid, and building new natural-gas pipelines.
In an accompanying four-page letter, Ritter also urges Obama to invest in road and bridge projects.
“Colorado and the nation face significant economic challenges,” Ritter said in a statement. “But these challenges also create enormous opportunities. Colorado’s successes at building a New Energy Economy and creating new jobs can be a model for the nation.”
Ritter met with Obama, fellow governors and members of Obama’s transition team last week during a trip to the East Coast to talk about a possible stimulus plan for states.
“My understanding is that (Obama’s aides) were extremely interested in what Gov. Ritter told them last week, and they asked for a more detailed follow-up,” said Evan Dreyer, the governor’s spokesman.
Environment Colorado, a green-energy advocacy group, quickly praised Ritter’s plan.
“Obama has very clearly put clean energy at the forefront of his plan,” said Matt Garrington, the group’s field director. “Gov. Ritter is providing the leadership and the vision it’s going to take to make the New Energy Economy the driver of the economic recovery.”
But state Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Yuma, criticized Ritter for focusing so much on just one area of possible investment. He said, for instance, Ritter should be more focused on keeping existing jobs in the state — such as those in the oil and gas industry. (Ritter and Republicans are in an ongoing battle over whether Ritter’s policies hurt the industry.)
“It’s got to be more than just renewable energy,” Gardner said. “This is quickly becoming a one-trick pony.”
Gardner said rather than creating new spending, the government should look at lowering taxes and business regulations to spur the private sector into new investments.
“It’s sad,” Gardner said, “that we’ve reduced the nation’s governors to Oliver asking for soup.”
John Ingold: 303-954-1068 or jingold@denverpost.com
