By Nicholas Chambers
           
            On June 2, 2008 Governor Bill Ritter signed six new bills into law at the Sun Edison solar farm near Mosca.  Senator Gail Swartz was the main sponsor for 5 out of the 6 bills and joined the Governor in the well-attended signing.
            As the wind howled through the event tent among the 80 acres of solar panels, the Governor remarked, “They told me last time I was here you have already looked into wind power and that it doesn’t work, but I’m not convinced yet!”  Every time he has been in the valley the conditions for wind power have seemed very promising.
            “This is really a start in a new, huge chapter in Colorado economics,” Ritter said.  Colorado is becoming a leader in the New Energy Economy with renewable energy projects such as the Mosca solar farm and all the wind development out on the Eastern plains.  Wind turbine manufacturer Vestas is also building the world’s largest wind blade manufacturing facility in Colorado, Ritter boasted.  “These new bills will really bring the New Energy Economy home.”
            Bill 1164 will force the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to evaluate new power proposals to favor centralized solar plants.  The valley will likely be the site for more solar farm development as it is the sunniest place in Colorado and Colorado is the 6th sunniest state in the nation. The bill will also force the PUC to consider greenhouse gas emissions from any new power producer.  This will prepare Colorado for the global carbon regulation market, Ritter said. 
            Bill 1083 will enforce the severance tax of Colorado oil and gas development and put it into “fair and direct distribution for rural communities.”  Regions impacted by energy development will benefit by this investment in wildlife and recreation.
               Bill 13 will put taxes towards boosting energy-impacted rural economies by
 investing State Parks, recreation, and wildlife.
            Bill 228 deals with natural resources mining providing “hard rock transparency.”  It will give the public the right to know if a company is going to drill or mine in their area.  Ritter said this would be good policy for good collaboration between the industry, environmental groups, and the community.
            Bill 215 would provide for “ubiquitous broadband access” across every corner of Colorado so all its citizens may receive internet access, engage in distance learning, and even access new forms of health care.
            Bill 38 is an education bill investing in K-12 and higher education.  It provides for capitol construction costs for schools from federal mineral leases and establishes 12 regional service areas that will have their own council to address local forms of education.  Many in the audience were present to witness the signing of this bill.
            Before adjourning the bill signing the Governor along with Susan Kirpatrick, Director of the Department of Local Affairs, said they were going to Alamosa to present the city a check for 1 million dollars for the construction of a new water treatment plant.  “The check blew away in the wind.  Somebody was going to be happy about finding it,” said the Governor.  Kirpatrick then replied, “The finish to the story is that a state trooper was able to catch it!”