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CDP Week In Review - August 4, 2009 In this issue: * Op-Ed from Congresswoman Betsy Markey: "Clean Energy Act is right for Colorado" Markey's Op Ed Piece for the Denver Post: Clean Energy Act is right for Colorado On June 26, I voted in favor of the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (ACES). Having spent months speaking with constituents about this legislation, I firmly believe it was the right thing to do for Colorado. Colorado is blessed with vast energy resources, and as the renewable energy sector is already thriving and growing in northern and eastern Colorado, this bill brings unique benefits to our region. In fact, our corner of Colorado stands to see greater benefits from this legislation than most other areas of the country. Almost every week, I meet with a business owner or entrepreneur or a representative from one of the research universities we have in the 4th Congressional District, to discuss opportunities to bring jobs to northern Colorado through the advancement of the renewable energy industry. Colorado State University has a world-class Smart Grid simulation lab to study how to make energy cheaper for consumers. Companies like Abound Solar and Vestas Wind Energy are bringing investments and jobs into our communities right now. Our colleges and universities are training record numbers of students to compete and succeed in these fields. One of the provisions of the ACES bill was a mechanism for capping carbon emissions, similar to the successful acid rain trading program of the early 1990s. It was modeled after market-based pollution caps that Sen. John McCain and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich supported, establishing a market-based system to curb carbon emissions, mobilize innovative technologies, and strengthen the economy. Letting the market decide will encourage the lowest-cost compliance options. It just makes good business sense. Anyone who has traveled across northern and eastern Colorado, and has seen what our residents are doing to remain good stewards of the land, knows that whether it come in the forms of royalties to farmers who house wind turbines or offsets for cellulosic biofuels and biomass energy, our farmers stand to see great benefits. Additionally, ACES creates a competitive advantage for carbon-free nuclear energy. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, twice as many nuclear plants would be built by 2025 with ACES. ACES also included an amendment I authored that helps connect Colorado's wind farms to America's wider energy markets - a critical issue that I hear about in my travels throughout the district. The energy bill was supported by organizations like Duke Energy, the Nuclear Energy Institute, the National Farmers Union and the American Corn Growers Association, General Electric, the Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the Evangelical Climate Initiative. It's estimated that the average cost for consumers in the 4th CD as a result of ACES would be roughly 46 cents per day. That is before the estimated energy savings kick in for households across the district. Most importantly, not only did the bill meet congressional balanced budget requirements and not add to the deficit at all, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that the legislation will actually result in a net $24 billion reduction in the federal deficit. I am a practical person. I think we need to work to advance renewable energy standards that make sense - that create jobs, reduce our crippling dependence on hostile foreign regimes for oil, and protect our environment for future generations - with little to no cost for the average energy consumer in the 4th CD. Putting politics and rhetoric aside, this was the right bill for our district. http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_12950467 Update from Michael Bennet: Last weekend, Michael engaged in lively conversation at the annual picnic hosted by the Democratic Party of Denver. County Chair, Cindy Lowery and Party volunteers organized a terrific event. To see photos from the picnic click here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=110467&id=57495285387 Update from the U.S. Senate: Michael held a roundtable discussion with doctors and other medical providers on Monday to discuss the need to push for health care reform that brings down costs.? The focus of the meeting was on the costly and time consuming process of dealing with insurance claims. Michael said, "It's almost as if we have an industry in place whose job it is to stop people from getting the benefits of their coverage rather than to keep them well." Michael also expressed support for inclusion of a public option in the plan for health care reform. Fundraiser To Honor Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi Join hosts Sen. Brandon Shaffer, Sen. Rollie Heath, Pat Waak, Rep. Jared Polis, Gale Day, Elaine Tucci, Bob Morehouse and others: Gov. Ritter & Lt. Gov. O'Brien Join Volunteers At Food Bank, Urge Coloradans To Take Part In 'United We Serve' New Laws Take Effect August 5 A number of state laws enacted in the 2009 legislative session, which concluded in May, take effect this week. Among bills passed by Democratic legislators are: * HB 1001 (Rep. Rice and Sen. Heath) - creates a tax incentive for companies which create at least 20 new jobs in Colorado. To see the full text of any of these bills or to learn more about the 2009 legislative session, visit the General Assembly web site: State legislative Interim Committees The Colorado General Assembly meets in regular session from January to May. In addition, several "Interim Committees" created by state law meet year-round to consider specific topics. Among Interim Committees meeting this summer and fall are: * Economic Opportunity Poverty Reduction Task Force - to reduce the number of Coloradans living in poverty by at least 50% by 2019 Like regular committees of the General Assembly, interim committee hearings are open to the public and streaming audio is available online. To learn more, visit this page on the General Assembly web site: http://www.state.co.us/gov_dir/leg_dir/lcsstaff/2009/09interim.html
Pat Waak Chair, Colorado Democratic Party Colorado Democratic Party
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