ACCCE Statement on Colorado House Bill 1365 Passage

 On March 31, 2010, the Colorado Senate passed HB 1365. Following is the statement released by the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity President and CEO Steve Miller.

"ACCCE is disappointed by the Colorado General Assembly’s fast track passage of HB 1365.

Rushed through the House and Senate without proper economic analysis, this bill threatens to unnecessarily raise the energy rates for Colorado consumers. Moreover, this bill will likely cost the state significantly more jobs than the proponents of the measure promised would be created.

Replacing coal with natural gas will not accomplish Colorado’s economic or environmental goals. Not only is natural gas three times more expensive than coal nationally, but readily available, advanced clean coal technologies represent a lower cost alternative to meeting environmental regulations that were the impetus for the bill’s consideration.

Currently, coal provides more than two-thirds of the electricity in Colorado, helping keep energy prices affordable for families and businesses across the state. Making it easier for utilities to pass along the costs of fuel switching from coal to natural gas to the consumer will almost certainly result in significant electricity cost increases across all economic sectors while Colorado families and businesses struggle to recover from the severe recession. HB 1365 also undermines the billion dollar Colorado coal industry, putting hundreds of high-paying utility, mining, and transportation jobs at risk.

Going forward, ACCCE believes that coal must continue to be an important part of Colorado’s energy future. We will closely review the plan HB 1365 requires to be presented to the Colorado Public Utility Commission in light of our commitment to standing up for balanced energy policies that ensure access to affordable, reliable electricity; promote energy security; and provide continued environmental progress."