The Colorado State Senate has passed S.B.252, legislation that would increase the renewable portfolio standard (RPS) mandate on rural electric cooperatives.
In a 18-17 decision on Monday, the Senate voted to require the state's rural utilities to procure 25% of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2020 – a boost from the current 10% by 2020 RPS co-ops must meet. Most of the state's other utilities, however, already have a 30% by 2020 RPS mandate.
Bill sponsor Sen. John Morse, D-Colo. Springs, believes it is time for rural co-ops to seek more renewable energy.
‘Colorado has become a national leader in renewable energy, but the economic and health benefits of investments in technologies, such as wind and solar, are not shared by all Coloradans," Morse said in a press release announcing the legislation. "Increasing the market for clean energy for our state's largest cooperative utilities will ensure our rural utilities are working hard for rural families and businesses."
The legislation now goes to the Colorado House of Representatives.
